TRADITIONAL VS NEXT GENERATION ANTIVIRUS: EVALUATING THEIR ROLE IN MODERN CYBER SECURITY

The rapid evolution of malware has raised questions about the adequacy of traditional antivirus software, which primarily relies on signature-based detection. While effective against known threats, this approach is insufficient for addressing emerging risks such as ransomware, zero-day exploits, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of traditional antivirus solutions and next-generation antivirus (NGAV) systems. Using a review of scholarly literature, industry reports, and case studies, the paper evaluates how artificial intelligence, behavioral analytics, and global threat intelligence contribute to NGAV’s resilience against modern attacks. Findings indicate that NGAV significantly outperforms traditional antivirus in detecting and mitigating advanced threats. The study contributes to the cybersecurity discourse by recommending a hybrid defense framework that leverages the strengths of both approaches to deliver cost-effective and comprehensive endpoint protection.