What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Print

What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an advanced endpoint protection platform designed for corporate devices such as PCs, laptops, servers, and mobile devices. It combines prevention, detection, investigation, and response capabilities against modern cyber threats.

Its main goal is to secure IT environments, reduce attack surfaces, and provide intelligent tools to counter even stealthy attacks.

What it protects against

• Viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware: blocks both known and unknown threats.
• Exploits and vulnerabilities: prevents attacks exploiting system or application flaws.
• Lateral network movement: detects and stops propagation attempts within your network.
• Fileless attacks: identifies threats operating without files, often missed by traditional antivirus tools.
• Large attack surfaces: protects outdated, misconfigured, or unauthorized devices and apps.
• Compromise events: enables threat detection, analysis, and response.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1

Advanced protection for everyday business needs

Plan 1 offers comprehensive protection for corporate devices, delivering strong security without requiring automated threat analysis or incident response tools.

Included features

• Advanced antivirus and antimalware: uses behavioral analysis and cloud intelligence to block both known and new threats.
• Real-time protection: monitors files, processes, and activities in real time to block suspicious behavior instantly.
• Attack Surface Reduction (ASR): blocks macros, scripts, exploits, and other risky actions.
• Web and network protection: blocks access to malicious sites, phishing links, and hacker-controlled servers.
• Centralized management: unified console for visibility and control of all endpoints.
• Cross-platform support: works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
• App control and device integrity: prevents unauthorized software execution and ensures device compliance.

🤝 Best for

Companies seeking modern, reliable protection without the need for advanced threat investigation or automated response.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2

Enterprise-grade protection with automated response

Plan 2 includes all Plan 1 features and adds advanced capabilities for proactive detection, investigation, and response—ideal for enterprise environments.

Additional features over Plan 1

• EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response): continuously monitors for suspicious behavior beyond known threats.
• Automated investigation: automatically identifies how and where a threat entered.
• Automated remediation: removes threats, blocks malicious processes, and restores secure configurations.
• Threat & Vulnerability Management: detects vulnerable PCs, outdated apps, and misconfigurations.
• Threat Hunting: proactive tools for security teams to search for hidden threats.
• Event history and detailed analysis: logs all activity for forensic and audit purposes.

🤝 Best for

Organizations that:

• want protection even from unknown ransomware;
• need to understand attack sources and impacts;
• require automatic threat mitigation;
• must meet high security and compliance standards.

Comparison Table: Plan 1 vs Plan 2

🧩 Quick Summary

• Plan 1: Modern antivirus + essential protections.
• Plan 2: Full enterprise-grade security with investigation and automated response.