Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Linux review

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Linux is a serious agent with one big caveat for this audience: Microsoft documents it for Linux server workloads in on-premises, cloud and hybrid setups, not for personal desktops. Within that scope it is complete. It offers real-time antivirus using behavior-based, cloud-delivered and machine-learning techniques, behavioral monitoring of processes, and scheduled or on-demand quick, full and custom scans. Passive mode keeps EDR visibility while another antivirus does the blocking, so it can sit beside ClamAV. The EDR side adds MITRE ATT&CK-aligned detections, a device timeline, advanced hunting and Live Response for remote cleanup, and vulnerability management flags what to patch. Licensing is the hard part. Microsoft says onboarding a Linux server to Defender for Business requires another license, such as Defender for Business servers, and we could not confirm a Linux-specific USD price from Microsoft's pages.

Who it is for

Organizations already on Microsoft 365 security plans that need to cover Linux servers.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Real-time antivirus and antimalware protection using behavior-based, cloud-delivered and machine-learning techniques
• Scheduled and on-demand quick, full or custom scans
• Passive mode to run alongside another antivirus while keeping EDR visibility
• Endpoint detection and response with advanced hunting and Live Response
• Vulnerability management that prioritizes fixes

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Real-time and on-demand scanning in one agent
• Strength: Passive mode lets it coexist with ClamAV or another scanner
• Strength: Managed from the same Defender portal as Windows devices
• Weakness: Microsoft documents it for Linux server workloads, not desktops
• Weakness: Defender for Business needs an extra server license to onboard Linux
• Weakness: We could not confirm a Linux-specific USD price

Key facts

• Focus: Linux server workloads, on-premises, cloud and hybrid
• Scan types: Real-time, scheduled and on-demand
• Coexistence: Passive mode with third-party antivirus
• Defender for Business: Linux Server needs another license

Where it ranks

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Linux is No. 7 in our Best Antivirus for Linux verdict.