--- title: "Antivirus Killers on the Rise: Why Businesses Need a New Defense" description: Hackers are using tools to disable antivirus before attacks. Businesses must move from detect and respond to isolation and containment. image: https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/warning.jpeg --- [![CHIPS Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC](https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/chips_blue_logo_higher_res-20210817212617.png) Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC](https://prevent-ransomware.com) ☰ [About](https://prevent-ransomware.com/about) [Solutions](https://prevent-ransomware.com/solutions) [Industries](https://prevent-ransomware.com/industries) [Resources](https://prevent-ransomware.com/resources) [Partner With Us](https://prevent-ransomware.com/meetings/tony-chiappetta/30-minute-initial-meeting) [About](https://prevent-ransomware.com/about) [Solutions](https://prevent-ransomware.com/solutions) [Industries](https://prevent-ransomware.com/industries) [Resources](https://prevent-ransomware.com/resources) [Partner With Us](https://prevent-ransomware.com/meetings/tony-chiappetta/30-minute-initial-meeting) # Antivirus Killers on the Rise: Why Businesses Need a New Defense ![Tony Chiappetta](https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/Tony%20LinkedIn.jpg) by [Tony Chiappetta](https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/author/tony-chiappetta) September 17, 2025 Cybercriminals are stepping up their game, and traditional defenses are struggling to keep pace. A recent report from [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/another-devious-antivirus-killer-tool-has-been-found-so-make-sure-youre-protected) highlights a new wave of “antivirus killer” tools, designed specifically to blind or disable security software before ransomware and other payloads are deployed. ### The rise of antivirus killers Researchers at Trend Micro recently discovered a custom variant of the open-source tool **RealBlindingEDR** being used by the ransomware group **Crypto24**. This tool is particularly dangerous because it actively seeks out major antivirus and endpoint detection platforms such as Trend Micro, Kaspersky, Sophos, SentinelOne, Malwarebytes, McAfee, and others. Once it identifies them, it disables critical kernel-level protections or, in some cases, uninstalls the antivirus altogether. With security tools knocked offline, attackers gain free rein to install stage-two malware. In Crypto24’s case, this often means deploying a keylogger to steal sensitive data and an encryptor to lock down systems for ransom. ### Why this matters for businesses For organizations across industries — finance, manufacturing, tech, and entertainment — this represents a dangerous shift. Attackers are no longer just trying to evade detection. They are actively sabotaging the very tools businesses rely on for protection. Once defenses are dismantled, it’s only a matter of time before critical systems are compromised. ### The problem with detect and respond Most endpoint security solutions are built on a **detect and respond** model. They scan for known threats, analyze suspicious behavior, and attempt to respond when something malicious is found. The challenge? If attackers can disable the detection layer before launching their payload, the “response” never comes. As this latest discovery shows, detect and respond isn’t enough when adversaries are targeting the security stack itself. ### Why isolation and containment is the answer Businesses need to shift their thinking from detect and respond to **isolation and containment**. Instead of trying to outpace attackers at detection, this approach prevents malware from executing in the first place. Even if attackers manage to bypass or disable detection tools, they cannot advance their attack. This is where **AppGuard** stands apart. Unlike traditional solutions, AppGuard works at the kernel level to contain malicious activity automatically, without relying on signatures or alerts. Malware is stopped before it can cause damage — no detection required, no time wasted waiting for a response. ### A proven solution for today’s threats AppGuard has a **10-year proven track record** protecting some of the most targeted environments, and it is now available for commercial use. By adopting AppGuard, businesses can ensure that even if attackers attempt to disable traditional defenses, their systems remain protected through containment. --- **Call to action:** It’s time to move beyond detect and respond. Business owners,[talk with us at CHIPS](https://prevent-ransomware.com/getting-started) about how **AppGuard** can prevent incidents like the one uncovered in this report. Don’t wait until your antivirus is disabled — take control with isolation and containment today. Like this article? Please share it with others! [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fprevent-ransomware.com%2Fblog%2Fantivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fprevent-ransomware.com%2Fblog%2Fantivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fprevent-ransomware.com%2Fblog%2Fantivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fprevent-ransomware.com%2Fblog%2Fantivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on email](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fprevent-ransomware.com%2Fblog%2Fantivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail&body=Check+out+https%3A%2F%2Fprevent-ransomware.com%2Fblog%2Fantivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)   ###### Tags: [AppGuard,](https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/tag/appguard) [0-day,](https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/tag/0-day) [Ransomware](https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/tag/ransomware) ![Tony Chiappetta](https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/Tony%20LinkedIn.jpg) Post by [Tony Chiappetta](https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/author/tony-chiappetta) September 17, 2025 [![CHIPS Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC](https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/chips_blue_logo_higher_res-20210817212617.png)](https://prevent-ransomware.com) AppGuard Commercial Distributor for the Americas. Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/chips-cyber-defense-solutions-llc) #### The Stack - [AppGuard](https://prevent-ransomware.com/AppGuard) - [Zimperium](https://prevent-ransomware.com/Zimperium) - [CyberCloak](https://prevent-ransomware.com/CyberCloak) #### Company - [About Us](https://prevent-ransomware.com/about) - [The MSP 3.0 Story](https://prevent-ransomware.com/MSP3) - [Become a Partner](https://prevent-ransomware.com/meetings/tony-chiappetta/30-minute-initial-meeting) © 2026 CHIPS Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved. Built for the Best. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tony Chiappetta", "url" : "https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/author/tony-chiappetta" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-17T9:00:00 AM", "datePublished" : "2025-09-17 09:00:00", "description" : "Hackers are using tools to disable antivirus before attacks. Businesses must move from detect and respond to isolation and containment.", "headline" : "Antivirus Killers on the Rise: Why Businesses Need a New Defense", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://20916912.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20916912/warning.jpeg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/antivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "Antivirus Killers on the Rise: Why Businesses Need a New Defense", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/chips_blue_logo_higher_res-20210817212617.png" }, "name" : "CHIPS Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tony Chiappetta", "url" : "https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/author/tony-chiappetta" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-17T09:00:00.567Z", "datePublished" : "2025-09-17T09:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Antivirus Killers on the Rise: Why Businesses Need a New Defense", "image" : [ "https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/warning.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://prevent-ransomware.com/blog/antivirus-killers-on-the-rise-why-businesses-need-a-new-defense", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://prevent-ransomware.com/hubfs/CHIPS%20&%3B%20AppGuard%20logos.png" }, "name" : "CHIPS Cyber Defense Solutions, LLC" } } ```