Definition ∞ Heuristic detection is a method used by security software to identify new or unknown threats by analyzing their behavior and characteristics rather than relying on predefined signatures. This approach attempts to recognize suspicious actions or code patterns that resemble known malicious activities. It enables the detection of zero-day exploits and polymorphic malware that signature-based systems might miss. The efficacy of heuristic detection depends on its ability to accurately differentiate between legitimate and harmful operations.
Context ∞ Heuristic detection plays a significant role in protecting digital asset platforms and user wallets from rapidly evolving cyber threats. As new malware variants continually emerge, traditional signature-based detection often proves insufficient. News frequently covers advancements in AI-driven heuristic analysis designed to counter sophisticated attacks targeting cryptocurrency holdings and blockchain infrastructure.