What were the initial products designed for endpoint security called?

The initial products designed for endpoint security are commonly referred to as antivirus software. This category of software was developed primarily to detect and eradicate malicious software such as viruses, worms, and Trojans that could compromise the integrity and functionality of a computer system. Antivirus applications act as a first line of defense against malware, scanning files and system processes to identify potentially harmful content.

While other options like malware detection systems, firewall solutions, and intrusion detection systems are essential components of network security, they were not specifically created as endpoint security solutions in the early stages. Antivirus software dominates this initial landscape, providing primary protection against software threats targeting endpoint devices. As technology progressed, additional layers of security were integrated into endpoint protection, but the foundation remains rooted in antivirus capabilities.