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The Best Malware Removal and Protection Tools of 2017

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You Need Malware Protection

The wealth of applications and tools available on a modern computer boggles the mind. For any creative, productive, or entertainment venture, you can find dozens of software solutions. In the midst of this joyous celebration of all things software, though, you need to heed a hard truth: Some software is nasty. Some programs aim to lie, cheat, and steal, instead of helping you with your positive endeavors. We call these programs malware, and to protect against them, you must fight software with software.

Just what software you should choose depends on your needs, and your concerns. Solutions range from simple antivirus to elaborate, feature-rich security suites. In some cases, you may run more than one protective utility. But before we dig into those choices, a review of the enemy is in order.

What Is Malware?

The term malware is short for malicious software, and it refers to absolutely any program or process whose purpose is harmful, even criminal. The earliest form of malware was the computer virus, the name for a program that infects other programs with its code, and replicates when the infected program runs. Many early viruses had no malicious payload; they just served to show off the coder's skills, or even to give a shout-out to a loved one. Because viruses were first, we still use the name antivirus for software that protects against all kinds of malware.

A virus spreads when someone launches the infected program; a worm spreads without any help. The infamous Morris Worm, released in 1988, was nominally intended to measure the extent of the nascent internet. However, due to a coding error it crashed thousands of servers and earned its creator a felony conviction.

Modern malware coders are way beyond the "look at me!" attitude of those early virus writers. They're in it for the money—period—and there's not a lot of money in viruses and worms. Trojan horse programs can be more lucrative. This sort of malware appears as, and may even be, a useful program of some kind, but once you let it inside the walls of your computer, it turns loose a crew of nasties. They may send your personal and financial data to malware HQ, install additional programs to earn per-installation cash, or anything the coders can think of to monetize their control of your computer.

Trojans that transmit your private information are one kind of spyware. Other types of spyware focus on tracking your web-browsing habits, or the way you use your computer. Keylogger spyware tools record the keystrokes you type, hoping to hit pay dirt by capturing your passwords.

Another common threat is what's called a bot. Typically, the bot owner uses spam or drive-by downloads to infect many computers, and then sells the services of this herd of bots. Customers can contract with the bot-herder for tasks including bitcoin mining, distributing spam, or participating in a distributed denial of service attack.

The current alpha predator of money-making malware, though, is ransomware—specifically, encrypting ransomware. If this kind of attack hits your computer, you'll find that all your essential files have been encrypted. The perpetrator of the attack will gladly decrypt them for you—if you pay the ransom. Worst of all, even if you manage to remove the ransomware itself, your files remain encrypted. It's a nightmare!

Adware and Other PUPs

Most malware-fighting tools also handle removal of Potentially Unwanted Programs—PUPs for short. In many cases, you must choose whether or not to remove these. They're not specifically malicious, but they may well be unwanted.

For example, you may have installed an ad-supported free utility without realizing just how invasive its advertisements would be. Or you may have clicked through screen after screen during one program's installation, without realizing that by doing so you agreed to install a boatload of other programs. And it's not uncommon for these programs to resist uninstallation. Companies like AppEsteem aim to eliminate these deceptive bundling practices, but if you've already been hit, you need some help to clean up the mess.

Basic Malware Protection

You absolutely need at least a basic level of protection for all of your devices, and that means an antivirus utility. As noted, despite the name these products do a lot more than fight viruses. They take aim at every kind of malware, and some of them do a great job.

But, you may ask, doesn't Windows 10 have antivirus built right in? It's true that Windows Defender is built into Windows 10, and it gained more responsibilities with the recent Creators Update. If you have no other antivirus, Windows Defender turns on automatically. If you install a third-party antivirus, it goes dormant. The problem is, my testing has shown that Windows Defender just isn't as effective as third-party alternatives.

The Best Free Antivirus

Even though Windows Defender isn't the best, you may be reluctant to pay for antivirus protection, given that you can get it for free. As it turns out, quite a few companies offer free antivirus solutions, and some of them are quite good.

Most purveyors of free antivirus protection also offer a premium, paid edition. In some cases, the premium edition includes features not available for free, or offers VIP tech support. Others make the full range of features free for consumers, but require payment for business-related use. The best of these free antivirus utilities outperform all but the top for-pay competitors.

Malware Scan Types

You can launch a full antivirus scan of your computer at will, to root out any preexisting malware problems. Most also let you schedule a regular scan. But the first line of defense is on-access scanning. For some antivirus utilities, the minuscule access that occurs when Windows Explorer displays a file's details is sufficient to trigger a scan. Others wait until the file gets copied to disk, or until just before it executes. The main point is, your antivirus makes sure that no new malware can infest the computer.

But how does it know? How does it tell that a program is malicious? The easiest method involves what's called a signature—a kind of fingerprint that identifies known malicious files. Early antivirus tools simply checked the numeric hash of entire programs against a blacklist. Malware coders responded to that by making threats polymorphic, so every victim received a slightly different file. And antivirus researchers in turn responded by making signatures more generic, so that all variations on a particular malware strain would still fit the profile.

But is there an end to the cat-and-mouse game between malware coders and antivirus researchers? Yes, quite possibly there is. The very definition of malware is software that performs some type of malicious action. Behavior-based detection systems don't check programs against a list of known offenders. Instead, they watch all unknown programs for malicious behaviors. This kind of detection works against any malware attack, even a brand-new zero-day exploit.

Emergency Malware Removal

There's always the chance that your antivirus might miss a very new, very virulent malware strain. You also may run into trouble when you try to install antivirus protection, because the malware already entrenched on your computer fights back. In either of those cases, you can call on the many free cleanup-only tools.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is our current favorite in this realm. I've seen tech support agents for other companies call on Malwarebytes to get rid of infestations that thwarted their own product. It's not the only choice, though. Sophos, Symantec, and Emsisoft are among the others that offer similar free malware cleaners.

Most security vendors also offer a free rescue disk, typically in the form of an ISO file that you burn to a CD. Windows-based malware only works when Windows is running, after all. Booting from the rescue disk puts you in a different operating environment, typically a Linux variant, with a malware scanner built in. You may find the rescue scanner awkward and unfamiliar, compared to its slick, Windows-based cousin, but if it does the job, you can ignore its lack of polish.

Beyond Malware Protection

Antivirus is one kind of security for your computer, but there are many other possibilities. A firewall fends off hack attacks from outside, and prevents programs from abusing your network connection. If your email provider doesn't filter out spam, a local spam filter utility can help. Parental control software steers kids away from inappropriate websites and keeps a lid on their screen time. Rather than choose all these components separately, with the risk that they won't play nice together, many users opt for a security suite that integrates a variety of security components. Of course, malware protection is at the core of every such suite.

There are many other ways security software can protect your computer and your privacy. Backup is, in a way, the ultimate security for your important files. Even if a piece of space junk smashes your computer to smithereens, you still have your backed-up files. Cleaning up exposed data on your system, stuff that could reveal your habits, is another way to protect privacy. Password management helps you attain the goal of using a strong, unique password for every website. Most security companies offer a higher-level suite that adds many more security-related features. I call these feature-packed products mega-suites, to distinguish them from the basic, entry-level suites.

Protecting your privacy and security on your desktop or laptop computer is dandy, but what about your other devices? If your household teems with devices running Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS, you may want to consider a multi-device security suite. Protection for Windows and Android devices is the most important, as these are the big targets for malware attack. Even macOS devices have suffered crippling attacks, though they're not as common. And while iPhones and iPads are intrinsically safer, some security features, such as password management and URL filtering, are platform-independent.

Ransomware Protection

I said earlier that an antivirus with protection only against computer viruses would be absurd. In general, a product that only blocks viruses, or adware, or spyware, or any single malware type would be pointless. Ransomware, however, is another matter.

If your regular antivirus misses a brand-new Trojan and thereby lets some crook steal your credit card number, that's bad. But you can get a new card, and an antivirus update (or a remote remediation session with tech support) should wipe out the Trojan. But if the antivirus misses a ransomware attack, that's it. Your files are hosed, and removing the ransomware won't help. Because of that, I recommend a second line of protection against ransomware.

You may find that your antivirus or security suite has some degree of ransomware-specific protection built in. Some products simply ban unauthorized programs from making changes to files in certain protected folders. Want to edit a document with your word processor? No problem! But when ransomware comes knocking, it won't get in. Others add a layer of behavior-based ransomware detection, to catch anything that gets past the other malware protection layers.

What I find most interesting are the free, dedicated anti-ransomware tools that are starting to crop up. They work alongside your existing antivirus, with the sole aim of detecting the behavior of any ransomware that gets past other defensive layers. I'm currently running RansomFree and Malwarebytes alongside my Norton suite. Check Point, ZoneAlarm's publisher, has something similar in beta.

What's the Best Malware Protection?

In the chart at the top of this article, I've identified 10 products that will definitely help keep malware far, far away from your computer. I made a point of including a variety of program types, from many different security companies.

Clearly these aren't the only products that you should consider. I've reviewed many dozens in different categories, and many of them are just as good as the ones in the chart. For a full list of all such programs that rated four stars (Excellent) or better, see the blurbs below. And if you don't have any malware protection yet, read the reviews, make a choice, and install it now.

Featured Anti-Malware Software Reviews:

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    Avast Free Antivirus 2017 Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 3
    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Avast Free Antivirus 2017 combines a great free antivirus with a surprisingly extensive collection of bonus features. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 4

    AVG AntiVirus Free (2017) Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 5
    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% AVG AntiVirus Free has a new look, and some new technology, but our hands-on tests and independent lab tests show that it's just as reliable as ever.  Read the full review
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    Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2017 Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 7
    $39.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2017 combines top-scoring antivirus protection with so many bonus features it would almost qualify as a security suite.  Read the full review
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    Bitdefender Internet Security 2017 Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 9
    $59.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Bitdefender Internet Security 2017 packs every feature you expect in a security suite, along with a wealth of bonus features. An updated user interface revitalizes this excellent suite. Read the full review
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    Bitdefender Total Security 2017 Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 11
    $89.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Bitdefender Total Security 2017 offers a cornucopia of security features for Windows, with plenty of bonus features. You also get award-winning Android security and antivirus for Mac. Read the full review
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    Kaspersky Anti-Virus (2017) Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 13
    $59.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% The independent testing labs consistently award Kaspersky Anti-Virus their highest ratings, plus it aces our own antiphishing tests, adds plenty of bonus features, and it's fast. That's enough to earn our Editors' Choice nod again this year. Read the full review
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    Kaspersky Internet Security (2017) Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 15
    $79.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% With best-ever ratings from independent testing labs and a huge range of security-centric features, Kaspersky Internet Security is one of our top picks for keeping your PC and devices safe. Read the full review
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    Symantec Norton AntiVirus Basic Review

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    $39.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% After a few years on hiatus, Symantec's standalone antivirus is back. Norton AntiVirus Basic earns top scores from the independent labs and in our own tests. It's a winner. Read the full review
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    Symantec Norton Security Premium (2017) Review

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    $89.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% In addition to a raft of top-notch suite features, Symantec Norton Security Premium comes with 25GB of online storage and a top-tier parental control system. Furthermore, you can install it on up to 10 Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS devices.  Read the full review
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    Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus Review

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    $39.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus remains the smallest, fastest antivirus around, and it aced our hands-on malware-blocking test.  Read the full review
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    Kaspersky Total Security (2017) Review

    the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 23
    $89.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% To the impressive feature list of Kaspersky's entry-level suite, Total Security adds password management, excellent parental control, file encryption, secure deletion, and more. It's a top choice for security mega-suites.  Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 24

    Symantec Norton Security Deluxe (2017) Review


    $79.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Symantec Norton Security Deluxe offers award-winning antivirus and a tough, self-sufficient firewall, without dragging down system performance. It can protect up to five Windows, Android, macOS, or iOS devices. Read the full review
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    Malwarebytes 3.0 Free Review


    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Malwarebytes 3.0 Free aims to wipe out pernicious malware that gets past your regular antivirus, or prevents you from installing protection. But with no real-time protection it can't be your primary antivirus. Read the full review
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    McAfee AntiVirus Plus (2017) Review

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    $59.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% McAfee AntiVirus Plus doesn't score as high as other Editors' Choice products in testing, but it covers vastly more than the others. One subscription lets you protect every Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS device in your household. Read the full review
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    McAfee LiveSafe (2017) Review

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    $89.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% In addition to protecting all your Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, McAfee LiveSafe offers a unique encrypted cloud storage system. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 30

    Avast Pro Antivirus 2017 Review


    $39.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Avast Pro Antivirus 2017 offers the same wealth of features as its free edition, and not a lot more. It's an excellent product, but for most people the free version will suffice. Read the full review
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    Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition (2017) Review


    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition includes precisely the same antivirus technology found in the commercial Bitdefender Antivirus, without the paid edition's many useful bonus features. Read the full review
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    Check Point ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+ 2017 Review


    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+ combines a top-notch firewall with antivirus protection licensed from award-winning Kaspersky. This free program can be a good choice if you don't want a full-scale security suite. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 33

    Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Antivirus + Firewall 2017 Review


    $39.95 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% With the powerful ZoneAlarm firewall, antivirus licensed from Kaspersky, and a unique new approach to phishing protection, Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Antivirus + Firewall 2017 is worth a look.  Read the full review
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    Cybereason RansomFree Review


    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% The consequences of a ransomware attack are dire, so a second layer of defense like Cybereason RansomFree is a great idea. It's free; go ahead and install it. Read the full review
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    Emsisoft Anti-Malware 2017 Review


    $39.95 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Hence the name, Emsisoft Anti-Malware focuses on the core task of keeping your PCs free of malware. It does a good job, and with a clean, simple interface, it looks good too.  Read the full review
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    ESET NOD32 Antivirus 10 Review


    $39.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% ESET NOD32 Antivirus 10 scores well with most independent labs and in most of our hands-on tests, and its full system scan is faster than most.  Read the full review
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    FixMeStick Review


    $59.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% If malware has made it impossible to install or run antivirus protection, the bootable FixMeStick can save you. But don't ditch your existing antivirus; FixMeStick offers no real-time protection. Read the full review
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    F-Secure Anti-Virus (2017) Review


    $39.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% F-Secure Anti-Virus's fast full scan and DeepGuard behavior-based detection system make it a powerhouse against malware, but it doesn't offer many bonus features. Read the full review
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    Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware Beta Review


    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware Beta watches program behavior to thwart any ransomware that gets past your existing antivirus. This lightweight, free utility makes a great addition to your security arsenal. Read the full review
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    McAfee Total Protection (2017) Review


    $89.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% To the feature set of McAfee's entry-level suite, Total Protection adds file encryption and four additional licenses for the True Key password manager. Best of all, you can install it on every device in your household. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 41

    Sophos Home Review


    $0.00 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Sophos Home brings the company's sophisticated business-grade antivirus technology to the home user, for free. It scores very well with the independent labs, and in most (but not all) of our own tests. Read the full review
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    The Kure Review


    $19.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% When your PC has The Kure installed, you can wipe out malware just by rebooting. Your own documents aren't affected, and it even has the ability to reverse the effects of encrypting ransomware. Read the full review
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    Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security (2017) Review


    $39.95 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security earns high scores in our hands-on tests, though not in every independent lab test. Ransomware protection is a welcome addition in this latest version. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 44

    Trend Micro Internet Security (2017) Review


    $59.95 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Though it lacks an integrated firewall, Trend Micro Internet Security (2017) includes antivirus, antispam, and parental control, along with loads of bonus features that actively help to ensure your PC's security. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 45

    Trend Micro Maximum Security (2017) Review


    $89.95 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Your Trend Micro Maximum Security lets you protect up to five Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS devices, but it's best on Windows and Android. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 46

    VoodooSoft VoodooShield Review


    $19.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% VoodooShield takes a whitelist approach to antivirus protection, but without getting in the user's way. A new machine-learning component brings it closer to the abilities of a standalone antivirus. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 47

    Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete Review


    $79.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete includes a powerful, unusual antivirus, 25GB of hosted online backup, and a system optimization system, yet has a light touch on system resources. Read the full review
  • the-best-malware-removal-and-protection-tools-of-2017 photo 48

    Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus (2016) Review


    $49.99 MSRP
    %displayPrice% at %seller% Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus adds Android support and a password manager to an already-excellent antivirus app. Read the full review

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