Ensure alerts go to your SIEM or management console. An undetected infection on Server 2008 will often try to move laterally to newer servers.
After extensive testing and market research, here are the leading antivirus options that still actively support Windows Server 2008. windows server 2008 antivirus
Zero ransomware infections in 24 months. Antivirus blocked two separate email-based phishing payloads that reached the server via a legacy admin account. The server remains operational while the organization plans an Azure migration. Ensure alerts go to your SIEM or management console
For a while, there was a "secret menu" for antivirus on Server 2008. Microsoft offered Extended Security Updates (ESU) for organizations willing to pay a premium. This allowed antivirus software to interface with a "patched" version of the OS. windows server 2008 antivirus