Microsoft Defender for Business vs Heimdal Security

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Our analysts compared Microsoft Defender for Business vs Heimdal Security based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Endpoint Security Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Microsoft Defender for Business Software Tool
Heimdal Security Software Tool

Product Basics

Microsoft Defender for Business is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect small to medium-sized businesses from cyber threats. It offers advanced threat protection, endpoint detection and response, and automated investigation and remediation capabilities. This software is particularly suited for industries such as healthcare, finance, and retail, where data security is paramount. Its unique benefits include simplified deployment, centralized management, and integration with other Microsoft services, providing a seamless security experience.

Key features include real-time threat detection, vulnerability management, and detailed reporting. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and robust protection mechanisms, which are often highlighted in user reviews. Compared to similar products, Microsoft Defender for Business stands out for its ease of use and comprehensive coverage. Pricing details can vary, so it's recommended to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote based on specific needs. This ensures businesses get the most accurate and relevant pricing information for their requirements.

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Heimdal Thor is a multi-layered security suite that helps its customers protect valuable devices and data. It offers multiple security layers, including next-generation endpoint detection and response (EDR) and code-autonomous or code-based detection capabilities.

The traffic filtering module blocks ransomware attacks at all stages. It provides security against exploit kits by combining automatic updates with traffic scanning. Organizations can shield financial information and resources from cybercriminal intrusion using robust intelligence techniques.
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$3/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$14.99/User, Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
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Linux
Android
Chromebook
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Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
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Videos
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Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Enhanced Threat Detection: Microsoft Defender for Business leverages advanced AI and machine learning to identify and mitigate threats in real-time, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Automated Response: The software automates the response to detected threats, ensuring swift action to contain and neutralize potential security incidents without manual intervention.
  • Comprehensive Protection: It provides end-to-end security across devices, applications, and data, ensuring a holistic defense strategy for your business environment.
  • Cost Efficiency: By integrating multiple security functions into a single platform, Microsoft Defender for Business reduces the need for multiple security solutions, lowering overall costs.
  • Scalability: The solution is designed to grow with your business, easily scaling to accommodate increasing numbers of devices and users without compromising performance.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Helps businesses meet regulatory requirements by providing detailed reporting and audit trails, simplifying compliance with standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
  • Reduced Downtime: By quickly identifying and addressing threats, the software minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity, keeping operations running smoothly.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive dashboard and easy-to-navigate interface make it simple for IT teams to manage security tasks and monitor the overall security posture.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365, providing a unified security solution that enhances the protection of your existing Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Proactive Threat Hunting: Enables proactive threat hunting capabilities, allowing security teams to identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
  • Customizable Policies: Offers customizable security policies tailored to the specific needs of your business, ensuring optimal protection without unnecessary restrictions.
  • Expert Support: Access to Microsoft's extensive support network and resources ensures that your business can quickly resolve any security issues that arise.
  • Employee Training: Includes tools and resources to educate employees about security best practices, reducing the likelihood of human error leading to security incidents.
  • Real-Time Alerts: Provides real-time alerts and notifications, enabling immediate action to address potential threats and minimize impact.
  • Data Encryption: Ensures that sensitive business data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, protecting it from unauthorized access and breaches.
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  • Enhanced Services: Leverage E-PDR (endpoint prevention, detection and response) security model for continuous prevention. Offers DNS-based attack security and patching integrated with immediate response to cyber threats. Bypass attacks and improve safety through XDR (extended detection and response) services. Provides complex insights through automation, analytics and machine learning to eliminate cyberattacks. 
  • Multi-Layered Protection: Integrate threat prevention with next-gen antivirus, firewall and mobile device management solutions. Layer and customize protection technologies to cover potential security gaps. Use threat hunting, local and cloud scanning, quick response and regular monitoring, prevention and detection capabilities. Block advanced attacks using traffic telemetry. 
  • Comprehensive Security: Build cybersecurity in layers to avoid data breaches and gain actionable insights. Leverage a proactive approach to endpoint security with protection against threats and detection along multiple-attack vectors. Offer DNS and DoH filtering technology for adaptive protection against modern malware. 
  • Unified Threat Dashboard: Define detailed policies at desired time intervals. Refine blacklisting for files, processes, websites and patches according to the active directory group. Prevent data leakages, respond to hidden threats and handle vulnerabilities. Use information on security standards and data regulations for compliance and auditing. 
  • Global Scalability: Access threat prevention, next-gen antivirus and compliance capabilities from a single dashboard. Manage Windows firewalls, mitigate hidden threats and exploits, achieve compliance and get a category-based blocking system. 
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  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Provides advanced threat detection and response capabilities to identify and mitigate sophisticated attacks on endpoints.
  • Threat and Vulnerability Management: Continuously scans for vulnerabilities and provides actionable insights to prioritize and remediate risks.
  • Automated Investigation and Remediation: Uses AI and machine learning to automatically investigate alerts and remediate threats, reducing the burden on IT teams.
  • Next-Generation Antivirus: Offers real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and other malicious software using advanced heuristics and behavior analysis.
  • Attack Surface Reduction: Implements policies to minimize the attack surface by controlling the applications and scripts that can run on devices.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 services, providing a unified security experience across email, documents, and collaboration tools.
  • Centralized Management Console: Provides a single pane of glass for managing security policies, monitoring threats, and viewing security reports.
  • Customizable Security Policies: Allows businesses to tailor security settings to meet their specific needs and compliance requirements.
  • Cloud-Based Threat Intelligence: Leverages Microsoft's vast threat intelligence network to stay ahead of emerging threats and provide up-to-date protection.
  • Device Control: Manages and restricts the use of external devices such as USB drives to prevent data leakage and malware introduction.
  • Incident Reporting and Analytics: Offers detailed incident reports and analytics to help businesses understand and respond to security events effectively.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Ensures that only authorized personnel have access to security settings and data, enhancing overall security posture.
  • Scalability: Designed to scale with your business, providing robust security for small to medium-sized enterprises without compromising performance.
  • Compliance Management: Helps businesses meet regulatory requirements by providing tools and reports for compliance management.
  • 24/7 Threat Monitoring: Offers continuous monitoring and alerting to ensure that threats are detected and addressed promptly, regardless of the time of day.
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  • Threat Prevention: Offer threat hunting, prevention, detection and blocking capabilities through the DarkLayer Guard that delivers character-based neural network intelligence. Provide HIPS/HIDS and IOA/IOC functionalities via the VectorN Detection feature. 
    • Network Protection: Prevent threats at the perimeter level through complete DNS protection, including network prevention, detection and response tools. Identify hidden attacks via AI and log network traffic. 
    • Endpoint Protection: Hunt, prevent, detect and block attacks at endpoint devices. Spot DNS hijacking and block ransomware, data leaks, exploits and more. Control access to web categories. 
  • Privileged Access Management: Protect against data breaches and insider threats. Manage user permissions and their access levels through access governance. Set up an automated flow and approve or deny user requests using a centralized dashboard. 
  • Application Control: Create rule-based frameworks, enforce individual rights and streamline auto-dismissal or approval workflows. Enable application white and blacklisting. Allow and block apps according to name, certificate, file path, MD5 hash and publisher. 
  • Patch and Asset Management: Eliminate risks related to outdated operating systems and apps to safeguard office-bound and remote employees. Install updates automatically based on configured policies. Deploy patches on endpoints from third-party vendors without user interruption or reboots. 
  • Fraud Prevention: Monitor communications for malicious emails, false claims and fake transfer requests. Safeguard against business email compromise, email-deployed malware, phishing and spear-phishing, imposter threats, CEO fraud and criminal impersonation, incorrect IBAN/account numbers and spoofing attacks. 
  • Email Security: Protect multiple endpoints with the anti-malware and anti-spam filter. Avoid malicious emails, remove malware-laced attachments, filter emails from infected domains or IPs and contain suspicious URLs via MX record-based analysis vectors. 
  • Next-Gen Endpoint Antivirus: Safeguard endpoints with EDR features and firewall integration. Monitor file activities with signature-based code scanning. Run scheduled or on-demand scans to detect suspicious activities. Scan unknown files in the cloud through advanced detection algorithms. Offer sandbox and backdoor analysis to examine suspicious behavior of scanned files. Monitor processes with heuristic, behavior-based engines to detect code changes at all levels. 
  • Ransomware Encryption Protection: Detects encryption attempts without behavioral patterns or signatures. Decrease false-positive rates by distinguishing between autonomic and routine system-wide processes. Use the auto-ruling system with the block in firewall feature to prevent a spread across the network. Integrate with re-active protection, prevents data exfiltration and reduces downtime costs. 
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#68

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#77

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User Sentiment Summary

Fair User Sentiment 1 reviews
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60%
of users recommend this product

Microsoft Defender for Business has a 'fair' User Satisfaction Rating of 60% when considering 1 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

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3.0 (1)
n/a

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Strong Protection: Safeguards your business from various threats like ransomware and malware, ensuring your data and operations remain secure.
Streamlined Management: Offers a single dashboard to monitor and manage security across all devices, simplifying administration for your IT team.
Proactive Defense: Identifies and addresses vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, minimizing the risk of successful attacks.
Automated Response: Takes immediate action against threats, even outside of business hours, ensuring continuous protection without manual intervention.
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Strong Malware and Threat Protection: Employs a multi-layered security approach, including real-time protection, a firewall, anti-phishing measures, and ransomware protection to effectively combat various threats.
Proactive Security with Deep Packet Inspection: Utilizes deep packet inspection to analyze network traffic at a granular level, proactively identifying and blocking potential threats before they reach the endpoint.
Automatic Software Updates: Ensures endpoints remain secure by automatically patching vulnerabilities and keeping software up to date, minimizing the risk of exploitation.
User-Friendly Interface: Offers a straightforward and easy-to-use interface, simplifying security management for administrators and users alike.
Lightweight Agent: Features a lightweight agent that minimizes resource consumption, ensuring smooth system performance even with the security software running.
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Complex Setup: Some users have reported that the initial configuration of Microsoft Defender for Business can be more complicated compared to other security solutions, potentially requiring additional time and resources.
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Confusing User Interface: The user interface can be difficult to navigate, especially for new users.
DNS Filtering Shortcomings: The built-in DNS filtering functionality, DarkLayer Guard, lacks maturity in its category management and user interface compared to dedicated DNS filtering solutions.
Limited Third-Party Integrations: Heimdal Security lacks integration with popular PSA (Professional Services Automation) tools, making ticket management and synchronization difficult for businesses relying on these systems.
Missing Common Features: Unlike some competitors, Heimdal Security does not offer features like a password manager, parental controls, or robust identity theft protections, which might be dealbreakers for some businesses.
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Is Microsoft Defender for Business truly a defender of businesses, or does it leave them vulnerable? User reviews from the last year reveal a mixed bag. On one hand, Defender for Business is praised for its robust security features, particularly its effectiveness in combating ransomware and malware. Users highlight its integration with other Microsoft products as a key strength, allowing for a centralized security management experience. For instance, its seamless compatibility with Microsoft 365 streamlines security workflows and reduces the need for third-party solutions. This integration is particularly valuable for businesses heavily reliant on the Microsoft ecosystem, offering a unified and cost-effective approach to security.However, the initial setup process is a common pain point, often described as complex and time-consuming. This complexity might pose a challenge for businesses lacking dedicated IT expertise. Additionally, while Defender for Business excels on Windows platforms, its performance on other operating systems like macOS or Linux is reportedly less impressive. This limitation could be a dealbreaker for businesses with diverse device ecosystems. Overall, Microsoft Defender for Business is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, prioritizing strong security features and seamless integration over cross-platform compatibility. Its robust protection against modern threats, combined with its user-friendly interface once set up, makes it a valuable asset for businesses seeking a comprehensive yet cost-effective security solution.

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Is Heimdal Security the mythical guardian of endpoint security, or does it fall short of Valhalla? Heimdal Security's endpoint security software has received generally positive feedback from users, particularly for its robust protection against malware and its user-friendly interface. Users have praised its high malware detection rates, effectively identifying and neutralizing threats like ransomware. The intuitive interface is a standout feature, making it accessible for both tech-savvy and less experienced users. The real-time protection and automatic software updater are also significant advantages, providing an additional layer of security. However, some users have pointed out that while Heimdal Security excels in its core security features, it lacks certain extras offered by competitors, such as a password manager and parental controls. This could be a drawback for users seeking a more comprehensive security solution. For example, one user specifically mentioned that DNS Filter offers more mature features compared to Heimdal's DarkLayer Guard. Overall, Heimdal Security is best suited for individuals and businesses prioritizing strong endpoint protection and ease of use. Its robust security features, combined with its intuitive interface, make it a solid choice for those seeking reliable protection against malware and other online threats. However, users looking for a wider range of features, including a password manager or parental controls, might need to consider alternative options.

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