Skip to main content
SolarWinds MSP
  • Login
  • Support
  • Partnerships
    • Partnerships Overview
    • Solution Provider Program
    • Technology Alliance Program
    • Distributor Program
SolarWinds MSP
  • Products
    • SolarWinds N-central Automate what you need. Tackle complex networks. Try this remote monitoring and management solution built to help maximize efficiency and scale.
    • SolarWinds RMM Start fast. Grow at your own pace. Try this powerful but simple remote monitoring and management solution.
    • SolarWinds EDR Defend against ransomware, zero-day attacks, and evolving online threats with Endpoint Detection and Response
    • SolarWinds Backup Manage data protection for servers, workstations applications, documents and Microsoft 365 from one SaaS dashboard.
    • Mail Protection & Archiving Protect users from email threats and downtime.
    • Password Management Easily adopt and demonstrate best practice password and documentation management workflows.
      • Passportal Demo
    • PSA & Ticketing Manage ticketing, reporting, and billing to increase helpdesk efficiency.
    • Remote Support Help support customers and their devices with remote support tools designed to be fast and powerful.
  • Solutions

    I'm looking for...

    • Security Solutions
    • Monitoring Solutions
    • Efficiency Solutions
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Webcasts & Events
    • Ask the N-central Experts
    • Daily Live Demos
    • RMM Foundations Training
    • Upcoming Events
    • Upcoming Webcasts
    • Resource Center
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Resource Library
      • Case Studies
      • Product Information
      • eBooks
      • White Papers
      • Infographics
    • SolarWinds MSP Free Tools
    • GDPR Resource Center
    • Security Resource Center
    • MSP Institute Webinar Series
    • MSP Advice Project
  • About
    • Contact
    • Customer Success
    • Worldwide sales and support
    • Careers
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Get A Quote
    • Newsroom
      • Press Releases
      • In The News
      • Media Contacts
      • COVID-19 Response
    • Leadership Team
    • Legal
      • Cookie Policy
      • Privacy Notice
      • Software Services Agreement
      • Terms of Use
      • Backup Fair Use Policy
    • Security
      • SolarWinds Security Statement
      • Vendor Data Protection Requirements
    • Support
  • IT Departments
  • Contact Sales
    • Get A Quote
    • General Inquiry
  • TRY NOW
    • SolarWinds RMM
    • SolarWinds Backup
    • MSP Manager
    • SolarWinds Passportal
    • SolarWinds N-central
    • SolarWinds Mail Assure
    • SolarWinds Risk Intelligence
    • SolarWinds Take Control
  • Request a Quote
  • Try Now
    • SolarWinds RMM
    • SolarWinds N-central
    • SolarWinds Backup
    • MSP Manager
    • SolarWinds Mail Assure
    • SolarWinds Passportal
    • SolarWinds Risk Intelligence
    • SolarWinds Take Control
Request quote
Filter Blogs
  • Filter by:
  • MSP Business
    • Automation
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • Security-series
    • Best Practices
    • Business
    • Business Growth
    • Business Risk
    • Cloud Computing
    • Customer Service
    • Cybersecurity
    • Cybersecurity Awareness Month
    • Data
    • GDPR
    • Internet of Things
    • IT Support
    • ITSM
    • LOGICcards
    • Machine Learning
    • Mail
    • Managed Services
    • Marketing
    • Mobile
    • Networking
    • Operations
    • Podcast
    • Product
    • PSA
    • Remote Management
    • Research & Trends
    • Risk Intelligence
    • Security
    • Security Vlog
    • Service Desk
    • Services & Support
    • The Head Nerds
    • Tips & Advice
    • Training
Home Blog MSP Business Security Using Machine Learning to Create a Smart Antivirus
Security

Using Machine Learning to Create a Smart Antivirus

By Nick Cavalancia
3 October, 2017

One of the greatest challenges in the fight against malware is that the enemy keeps changing tactics. Malware developers, like antivirus (AV) vendors, are constantly updating their methods, code used, filenames, command and control (C&C) locations, and more—all in an effort to remain undetected. Traditional AV, and even next generation AV, all rely on historical signature and behavior data generated back in an AV vendor’s lab, which can take hours to develop a signature that can be pushed out to every client.  But with new springing up all the time, four hours is a lifetime.  

Thinking back just a few months, the WannaCry ransomware hit over 200K machines worldwide. While that seems rather small given the number of machines in the world, it still makes the point that in today’s climate of malware protection, we no longer have hours to respond.

Gathering Data Using Machine Learning

gathering data.jpgWhat’s coming next is data gathering at the front lines using machine learning and millions of sample endpoints. The concept of obtaining information from large numbers of sources has been especially viable with the modern internet. We’ve seen crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, and even crowdsolving. And this concept has moved in recent years , applying to things like autonomous driving—companies like Tesla® leverage the data from all of its cars. In fact, last year, the number of miles of data was at 780 million and growing at a rate of a million miles every 10 hours. 

So, there’s something really valuable about utilizing the data found across millions of sample endpoints in real time. And no greater opportunity exists than that of leveraging the experiences of millions of endpoints to build a “smart” antivirus. As each endpoint interacts with malware, the specific actions, behaviors, methods of injection, code used, and more can all be documented and aggregated to develop a signature to be deployed to every other endpoint in the world. 

The Rise of Smart Antivirus

smartantivirs.jpgMicrosoft® just announced it plans to leverage 400 million endpoints as part of its development of Smart AV. It also plans on utilizing data from Azure® and its Endpoint Protection product as part of this effort. 

Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the process of identifying malware behaviors to detect the same malware on another endpoints can be completely automated. And, unlike humans, the process of machine learning implies a constant state of improvement in the identifying, definition, and detection of malware at a much faster and more accurate pace. 

Nick Cavalancia has over 20 years of enterprise IT experience and is an accomplished executive, consultant, trainer, speaker, and columnist. He has authored, co-authored and contributed to over a dozen books on Windows®, Active Directory®, Exchange™ and other Microsoft technologies. Nick has also held executive positions at ScriptLogic®, SpectorSoft® and Netwrix® and now focuses on the evangelism of technology solutions.

Follow Nick on Twitter® at @nickcavalancia

 

Click here to find out how SolarWinds® Risk Intelligence can help you protect your business.

 

© 2017 SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

You might also like...
Security

January 2021 Patch Tuesday: One Actively Exploited Vulnerability and a Few Likely to Be

Security

December 2020 Patch Tuesday—A quiet(er) finish to a busy year in vulnerabilities

Security

Documentation Management API and Why It’s Important for the MSP Business

Security

What Is FIPS-140-2 Standard and When Is It Required?

Security

Malware-as-a-Service: A Crucial Reason Why Security Has Grown More Complex

Security

National Computer Security Day—It’s Not Just About the Computer Anymore

Want to stay up to date?

Get the latest MSP tips, tricks, and ideas sent to your inbox each week.

Loading form....

If the form does not load in a few seconds, it is probably because your browser is using Tracking Protection. This is either an Ad Blocker plug-in or your browser is in private mode. Please allow tracking on this page to request a subscription.

Note: Firefox users may see a shield icon to the left of the URL in the address bar. Click on this to disable tracking protection for this session/site

Recent Posts
  • January 2021 Patch Tuesday: One Actively Exploited Vulnerability and a Few Likely to Be
  • TAP Blog Series: Maximizing Your Service Delivery Opportunity
  • Why Do MSPs Choose SolarWinds Backup? IT Central Station Finds Out
  • Seven Features Remote Assistance Software Should Have
  • TAP Blog Series: Creating Your Automation Strategy—Three Key Components You Must Have in Place
Categories:
  • Security (229)
  • Tips & Advice (122)
  • Best Practices (94)
  • Managed Services (86)
  • Backup & Disaster Recovery (82)
  • Business Growth (75)
  • The Head Nerds (74)
  • IT Support (41)
  • Business (39)
  • Cybersecurity (37)
  • Automation (36)
  • Operations (33)
  • Mail (33)
  • Remote Management (27)
  • ITSM (25)
  • Cloud Computing (21)
  • Networking (21)
  • Data (21)
  • Marketing (14)
  • Product (11)
  • PSA (10)
  • Mobile (4)
  • Risk Intelligence (4)
  • Service Desk (4)
  • Services & Support (4)
  • Internet of Things (3)
  • Customer Service (3)
  • Research & Trends (2)
  • Training (2)
  • GDPR (2)
  • Business Risk (1)
  • LOGICcards (1)
Show moreless
SolarWinds MSP

Products
  • SolarWinds RMM
  • SolarWinds N-central
  • SolarWinds Backup
  • SolarWinds EDR
  • SolarWinds MSP Manager
  • SolarWinds Mail Assure
  • SolarWinds Risk Intelligence
  • SolarWinds Take Control
  • SolarWinds Passportal
  • All Products Use Cases
Solutions
  • Security Solutions
  • Monitoring Solutions
  • Efficiency Solutions
  • Identify which RMM solution is right for me
  • Drive Efficiency with Automation
  • Manage my MSP Business More Efficiently
  • Manage my IT Department More Efficiently
  • Layered Security
  • Cross-Platform Support
  • Data-Driven Insights
About
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Leadership Team
  • Upcoming Events
  • Subscription Preferences
  • SolarWinds
  • SolarWinds Trust Center
  • COVID-19 Response
Support
  • SolarWinds RMM
  • Solarwinds N-central
  • SolarWinds Backup
  • SolarWinds Mail Assure
  • SolarWinds Take Control
  • SolarWinds MSP Manager
  • Solarwinds Risk Intelligence
  • Solarwinds Threat Monitor
  • SolarWinds Passportal
  • SolarWinds Take Control Downloads
  • Backup & Recovery Downloads
  • Service Status

Footer 2

  • Legal Documents
  • Privacy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Security Information
  • Sitemap

© SolarWinds MSP Canada ULC and SolarWinds MSP UK Ltd.
All Rights Reserved.