Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Heimdal Security

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Our analysts compared Microsoft Defender for Endpoint 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.

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Product Basics

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an advanced security solution designed to protect businesses against sophisticated cyber threats. Ideal for enterprises of all sizes, it offers robust features such as endpoint protection, detection and response, and automated investigation and remediation. Users commend its seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 services. According to one user, "Defender for Endpoint's unified security platform simplifies our cybersecurity strategy." While praised for its efficacy, some users note a learning curve during implementation. Pricing varies based on organizational needs. Users generally perceive it favorably, with one stating, "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint stands out in its ability to provide comprehensive security without compromising user experience, setting it apart from competitors."

Pros
  • Integrated with Microsoft 365 services.
  • Advanced endpoint protection.
  • Automated investigation and remediation.
  • Effective against sophisticated cyber threats.
  • Seamless user experience.
Cons
  • Initial implementation may have a learning curve.
  • Varied pricing based on organizational needs.
  • Requires careful configuration for optimal performance.
  • May not suit smaller businesses with simpler needs.
  • Dependency on Microsoft ecosystem for full functionality.
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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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$5/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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Android
Chromebook
Windows
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Chromebook
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Mobile

Product Assistance

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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Advanced Threat Protection: Defender for Endpoint provides robust protection against a wide range of advanced threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It employs cutting-edge threat intelligence and machine learning to proactively identify and block malicious activities, keeping your organization's endpoints secure.
  • Real-Time Threat Detection: With its real-time monitoring and detection capabilities, the platform continuously scans for suspicious behavior and indicators of compromise. It swiftly identifies and responds to potential threats, reducing the dwell time of attackers within your network.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Defender for Endpoint offers EDR functionality, enabling security teams to investigate and respond to incidents effectively. It provides detailed insights into endpoint activities, helping organizations understand the scope and impact of security incidents.
  • Automated Incident Response: The platform streamlines incident response with automation. It can isolate compromised devices, remediate threats, and even roll back changes made by attackers, minimizing the impact of security breaches.
  • Threat Intelligence Integration: Microsoft integrates global threat intelligence into Defender for Endpoint, enhancing its ability to identify and mitigate emerging threats. This intelligence is continuously updated to keep defenses current against evolving attack techniques.
  • Cloud-Powered Security: Leveraging the cloud, Defender for Endpoint can scale effortlessly to protect organizations of all sizes. It benefits from the vast computing power of Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and protection.
  • Centralized Security Management: The platform offers a unified management console, allowing organizations to oversee and configure security policies across all endpoints from a single interface. This simplifies administration and ensures consistent security posture.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365: For organizations using Microsoft 365, Defender for Endpoint seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft security services, creating a cohesive security ecosystem. This integration enhances visibility and control over security threats.
  • User and Device Risk Assessment: Defender for Endpoint assesses the risk associated with both users and devices. It evaluates user behavior and device health, enabling organizations to enforce access policies based on risk levels.
  • Threat Analytics and Insights: The platform provides detailed analytics and insights into security threats and trends. This data helps organizations make informed decisions to strengthen their security posture and adapt to evolving threats.
  • Reduced Security Complexity: By consolidating security functions into a single solution, Defender for Endpoint simplifies security management. It reduces the need for multiple security tools and streamlines operations, ultimately lowering the total cost of ownership.
  • Compliance and Reporting: The platform assists organizations in meeting regulatory compliance requirements by offering reporting and auditing capabilities. It helps organizations maintain transparency and demonstrate adherence to security standards.
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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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  • Antivirus and antimalware protection
  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
  • Automatic investigation and remediation
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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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Product Ranking

#52

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Endpoint Security Software

#77

among all
Endpoint Security Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Heimdal Security
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Attack Prevention Attack Surface Reduction Endpoint Detection And Response (EDR) Exploit Prevention Managed Detection And Response (MDR) Services Mobile Capabilities Platform Capabilities Vulnerability Management 93 100 98 97 92 38 59 100 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 64 reviews
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88%
of users recommend this product

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 64 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

we're gathering data
4.4 (64)
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Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Vulnerability Management.

Vulnerability Management Award

No awards.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Effective Threat Detection: Users praise Defender for Endpoint's ability to detect and mitigate a wide range of threats effectively, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
Seamless Microsoft Integration: The product seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem, making it convenient for organizations already using Microsoft services.
Real-Time Monitoring: Real-time monitoring and threat detection provide immediate visibility into security incidents, allowing for swift responses.
Automated Incident Response: Users value the platform's automated incident response capabilities, which reduce the manual effort required for handling security incidents.
Centralized Management: Organizations can easily manage security policies across all endpoints from a centralized console, simplifying administration and ensuring a consistent security posture.
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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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Resource Intensive: Users have reported that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can be resource-intensive, impacting the performance of older or less powerful devices.
Complex Configuration: Some users find the initial setup and configuration complex, especially those without extensive cybersecurity expertise. This can lead to misconfigurations that affect security effectiveness.
False Positives: Like many security solutions, Defender for Endpoint can generate false positives, flagging legitimate activities as suspicious, potentially causing disruptions and requiring additional investigation.
Cloud Dependency: Users in areas with unreliable or limited internet connectivity may face limitations due to the platform's cloud dependency, impacting security when offline.
Cost for Small Businesses: Pricing concerns have been raised, particularly by small businesses, who may find it less budget-friendly, potentially straining their cybersecurity budgets.
Learning Curve: Users transitioning from other security solutions may encounter a learning curve when adapting to the platform's features and functionalities, affecting operational efficiency.
Compatibility Challenges: Some users have reported compatibility issues with specialized or legacy software, necessitating additional configuration or exceptions, which can add complexity to deployments.
Endpoint Management: Effective endpoint security relies on proper configuration and maintenance of devices. Neglected or misconfigured endpoints can be more vulnerable to threats, requiring vigilant management.
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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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Users consistently praise Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for its robust security features, with one user commending its "advanced endpoint protection" and another highlighting its "seamless integration with Microsoft 365 services." Many appreciate the automated investigation and remediation capabilities, emphasizing its effectiveness against sophisticated cyber threats. While the product's efficacy is widely acknowledged, some users mention a learning curve during the initial implementation. One user notes, "The implementation process had its challenges, but the benefits far outweighed the initial hurdles." Pricing variability based on organizational needs is a common concern, with users suggesting careful consideration to align the solution with budgetary constraints. Comparatively, users believe Microsoft Defender for Endpoint stands out from competitors, offering comprehensive security without compromising user experience. One user succinctly states, "It's a top-tier solution in its ability to provide holistic security." However, a few users caution that optimal performance may require careful configuration, and dependence on the Microsoft ecosystem for full functionality may not be suitable for all organizations. Despite these considerations, the prevailing sentiment is positive, with users appreciating the product's efficacy in safeguarding against evolving cyber threats.

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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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