Malware is a dangerous threat to any computer system. Whether you’re running Windows or macOS or any distribution of Linux, you will need protection from some of the most egregious viruses out there. The past few years have shown us just how damaging malware can really be. It’s crashed banking systems, held people’s data hostage, rendered systems unusable, and has generally been a pain. Fortunately, there’s been plenty of research done to combat these threats, and if you’re in the computer repair business, you can make use of certain tools to overcome the garbage of malware in any system.
So, to help you out, we’ve looked into a bunch of malware removal software and found the best ones. Let’s look at what the problem really is before we dive deep into the solution.
What really is malware?
Malware is a type of software created for the sole purpose of causing problems. It’s an umbrella term that covers things like viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, ransomware, etc. These programs are designed to carry out harmful activities in any computer system that they “infect”. Viruses end up corrupting data, trojans grant hidden access, worms replicate and spread over systems, spyware taps into your activities, and ransomware encrypts your data to hold it “ransom”.
These programs are often used for criminal activities and can decimate a computer system while doing them. Cybercriminals often make use of malware to gain access to computers through websites and emails with infected code. With so much of it around the internet, it’s pretty easy for unassuming victims to accidentally be exposed to malware.
Software you can use to protect yourself
Many computer repair shops have to deal with storage issues and data recovery for the systems that come in. As a general rule of thumb, it’s always good to have some sort of antimalware software to take care of storage before any trouble pops up. Based on our previous research, here’s a list of top software you can have around to save the day.
Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is a trusted name in computer security. Their excellent suite of antivirus, antimalware and internet security software has protected millions of customers for almost 25 years. While the US government has been prohibited from using the software, many commercial users put their faith in the service, and it’s done a great job.
Kaspersky has developed two major products for its customers – Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Kaspersky Internet Security. The Anti-Virus software is great for protecting against ransomware, using advanced heuristics to scan for and terminate dangerous applications while they are downloading. It includes a system watching program that detects malicious activity and ransomware attacks in real-time. Its Internet Security software has a powerful firewall with great exploit detection and control options. It even includes a VPN for browsing the internet safely. The software’s support extends to mobile devices as well for an all-in-one solution.
Trend Micro
Trend Micro is an American-Japanese cybersecurity software suite that provides protection for a number of systems. Used by major companies that use Amazon, Microsoft, and Google hosting services, Trend Micro has a vast catalog of products for home and business use.
Their Premium Security Suite gives powerful protection for a number of devices running on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Its internet security package is very good at blocking phishing attempts and malicious URLs for unwitting users. It bundles in a PC optimizer, a password manager, a secure browser for sensitive information, a VPN, and parental controls, among other things. They also provide premium customer support with everything and offer it for a nice annual subscription for up to 10 devices.
Malwarebytes
As a software that’s been around for 15 years, Malwarebytes is a software scanner that looks for and wipes out malware on Windows, Mac, and Android. The software is incredibly simple to use and produces great results for tracking down advanced malware, ransomware, and viruses.
Its premium offering promises protection on up to 5 devices, running in real-time to deal with threats. In addition to a system-wide scanner, it also protects against harmful websites, runs scheduled cleanups, provides a VPN, and encrypts your network information for an easier time dealing with malware threats.
McAfee
McAfee has been around since the early 90s and has enjoyed plenty of success with its antivirus and antimalware offerings. Their device protection programs cover everything from Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The company often markets its products as a holistic solution for an entire home.
The McAfee Total Protection suite brings a host of protection services for up to 10 devices. Their software excels at preventing phishing attempts and identity theft cases. One of their most attractive offerings is their VPN client, which offers connections of over 1,800 servers in 22 countries and an easy-to-use interface. Included in the package are file encryption, parental control, anti-spam software, a password manager, identity protection alerts, and other features. The software is surprisingly lightweight and doesn’t impact system performance all that much.
ZoneAlarm
Here’s a surprise hit: ZoneAlarm by Check Point is a great malware protection tool that excels as ransomware. The software provides protection for PC and mobile devices with its premium offerings.
Their Anti-Ransomware software has been hailed as one of the best in the industry. Providing real-time protection against phishing attacks, malicious downloads, and dangerous websites, ZoneAlarm provides powerful and reliable malware protection for both home and enterprise-level customers. They also provide a firewall, safe search, mobile security, threat emulation, and a Chrome extension to protect your online activities. The company has a great reputation for its offerings, and its Extreme Security package comes in at a nice affordable price point.
