The 8 Best Malware Removal Tools to Clean Up Your PC
If your PC is infected with malware and viruses, its performance may deteriorate and frustrate your activities. Luckily, numerous virus removal programs are available today to help you eliminate this infection. However, the wide range of antivirus programs in the market makes it tough to decide which one fits your situation. Worry no more as we have compiled the best tools that will make sure your PC is malware-free.
Installing these tools on your PC will help restore your experience and improve the machine’s performance. Now let’s look at the best malware tools available, their benefits, and the features that make them the best.
- Kaspersky Internet Security
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, your search ends here. Kaspersky Internet Security is one of the fastest malware removal solutions available. The tool removes all the malware with one click and provides overall protection for the entire PC.
You will have to part with about $40 if you’re a new user, but the premium software is worth every penny. However, the trial page offers you a 30-day trial version if you’d like to test the waters before you dive in.
Kaspersky Internet Security will help you remove even the recently identified malware all at once. Besides, you no longer have to worry about other complex threats such as XSS exploits, crypto lockers, and spy apps. Be sure to perform a quick full scan of your PC when you install the software.
- Bitdefender Total Security
This program counters malware knowing that the system may be infected in various ways. Malware can infect your PC via malicious websites or USB flash drives. Users adore Bitdefender Total Security for its ability to scan malware from any source, even external hardware. Also, the program scans through your PC to monitor the system services and detect any suspicious behavior. This functionality makes it slower on low-ram PCs.
Nonetheless, Bitdefender Total Security may be the answer for a comprehensive suite of security. You will remove malware from your device and protect it from internet threats, ransomware, open vulnerabilities, and mining malware.
- Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes will help you remove any malware that evades the antivirus program on your PC. Unlike the typical antivirus, Malwarebytes updates daily, making it easier to spot and remove threats as soon as they appear on your device.
You can start with the free trial of the premium edition that offers ransomware prevention and real-time scanning. Malwarebytes is undoubtedly an exceptional malware removal tool that will eliminate viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware, and other malware.
It would be best to run the Malwarebytes program every week to monitor any threats. However, you don’t have to wait for the other seven days to run the program if you suspect infection or if your browser starts misbehaving.
- AVG Antivirus Free
As the name suggests, AVG Antivirus will remove any malware from your PC for free. This anti-malware software will conduct searches throughout the PC without interfering with performance or user experience.
The AVG Antivirus program is pretty good for a free anti-malware tool. Besides, the program protects you from various downloading attacks and those sketchy links that the PC is likely to ignore. Its intuitive interface is easy, and the remote PC scan functionality comes in handy.
The free version should be good for you, but you should opt for the Pro version if you need more security features like data encryption, download protection, and a firewall. Most users go for this malware removal software not because it’s free but due to its ease of use. AVG clearly places the different options on the dashboard, meaning that you don’t have to waste time searching for the right action.
- Norton Antivirus Plus
You might have heard cases of malware slipping through some of the modern antivirus solutions. Well, Norton Antivirus Plus leaves no chance at all. It is yet another highly effective program with multiple layers of protection to keep your device safe from common and new threats.
Of course, there’s more protection in a full security suite than in free antivirus. Since Norton offers a full security suite, you’re sure to be one step ahead. The tool is available online with a $20 annual subscription.
- Avira Free Security
Avira emerges as yet another free anti-malware tool with easy-to-follow functionality. However, the tool suits less powerful PCs making it ideal for you if you just want a basic and effective tool.
It’s worth noting that Avira Free Security has no advanced security features such as AVG’s web browser encryption or anti-ransomware protection. Nonetheless, it’s effective in malware protection.
Avira Free Security comes with an impressive VPN and a software updater. Besides, you are free to choose which features you want in the tool as you install it into your PC. The options come as an advantage for those who wish to run different features through different suites.
- Avast One Essential
The full-featured antivirus software offers ultimate PC security against vulnerabilities, digital attacks, and viruses. You will be impressed by the free version that comes with real-time protection.
Like Kaspersky Internet Security, Avast One Essential comes as a one-in-all security solution that incorporates a limited VPN, a pretty solid antivirus, and device cleanup tools to protect you against common and emerging cyber threats.
Unfortunately, Avast One Essential is far from par with Kaspersky Internet Security. Avast is a free malware removal tool, which makes it somehow crappy, mainly due to the file shredder and the PC booster. For this reason, you should install a custom option and avoid the bloated software for ultimate services and efficiency.
- Norton Power Eraser
We had to include yet another malware removal tool from Norton, but for a good reason. At some point, your PC may be so infected that you can’t install or remove software. In this case, most PC components are affected, making it hard to find or install the right anti-malware software. The best solution is to have a malware removal tool that can function on your PC without installing it.
This unique aspect makes Norton Power Eraser so valuable. Unlike all the programs discussed here, Norton Power Eraser lets you scan and eliminate any malware in your PC even if it isn’t installed yet.
You’ll need to run a full system scan to get started with Norton Power Eraser. It has some basic malware removal options and a straightforward user interface. If you want to scan for rootkits, you can enable the functionality through “Settings.” Note that the tool is only compatible with Windows, meaning that Linux and Mac users have to search for alternatives.
Despite Window’s massive improvements in protection and security, it remains a priority for hackers. Therefore, you need to choose the best malware removal tool from the list provided. Feel free to download more than one tool from the list and run them sequentially to enhance protection and ensure no malware slips through.