The Best Malware Removal Software in 2023

There are a lot of bad actors out there, creating viruses and malware designed to harm your PC. Having an effective malware removal tool is a must in today’s computing world. But there are hundreds of protection software options on the market, all with different features. It can be bewildering when making a choice.

This article will show you the best and most popular malware removal software out there, along with their features, benefits, and drawbacks. Hopefully, it will help you to make the most informed decision possible.

The Best Protection Out There

All malware removal software has one common purpose: to prevent viruses and malicious programs from infiltrating your PC. Beyond that, it’s the extra things that the program does for your PC that make the difference. Some software is comprehensive, some fill a certain role. Some are designed for a single device, and others offer protection for the entire family. Some are free, while others require a monthly or yearly membership.

In addition, your operating system will also determine the best malware removal software. Many malware removal programs and antivirus tools won’t work with Macs. This means that many features available to Windows and Android users are unavailable for Mac or iOS. It’s important to check out the features and functions available to Apple users when choosing the right software.

It’s important to cross-check information with actual user reviews when deciding on the right malware removal tool. Many software sites may exaggerate their features and capabilities. This isn’t to say they’re not always being truthful, but it’s good practice to compare these claims with the experiences of actual users.

With all that said, it’s time to look at the best malware removal and antivirus software on the market today. The following are listed below in no particular order.

Norton 360

Norton is well-established in the antivirus market, and a household name in protection since the early days of home computing. Its latest version, Norton 360, offers comprehensive cross-platform protection, with a host of features to boot.

Where the “360” comes in is Norton’s approach to keeping your devices free from malware. Subscribers to Norton 360 have direct access to a live technician. If your device is compromised at any time, the technician can attempt to remove the malware from your device via remote access. If they’re unsuccessful, you’ll be refunded your purchase price.

In addition, Norton also lets you backup all valuable files and data to the cloud. This ensures that should something go wrong, you’ll always have a way to recover your important files. Unfortunately, this option is for Windows devices only.

Versions

There are currently four versions of Norton 360 on offer, ranging from Anti-Virus Plus, Standard, Deluxe, and Select. If you’re unsure of which to choose, there’s a seven-day free trial period for you to determine which works best for you. There’s also a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied.

Norton is an established brand, and charges accordingly. It’s not the cheapest protection out there, but does offer up to 58% off the first year. Select is the only version that offers a monthly payment option. It’s also the most expensive in terms of a yearly subscription, but you’ll be able to protect more devices (up to 10), and it includes LifeLock identity theft protection.

In addition to the antivirus software, Norton offers extra services for additional charges. These include:

• Updating driver software
• Access to a help desk 24/7
• Remote computer performance analysis and repair
• Removal of spyware remotely

Features

Norton 360 has a few other additional features that help it stand out. Standard, Delux, and Select members above have inclusive access to Norton’s VPN, something for which other antivirus software providers charge extra.

There are also safety features that help you browse the web safely, including parental controls (thought for Windows only), and active monitoring of the dark web for any breaches or compromises. In fact, Dark Web Monitoring can monitor multiple email addresses and will let you know if any account associated with them has been hacked.

Norton also offers extensions for all major browsers, with active browsing protection. But if you stick with one, there’s also Norton’s own dedicated Chrome-based browser, which enables safe access to the web.

Safecam is a feature unique to Norton that manages access to your webcam and prevents any prying eyes from accessing it. Intrusion Prevention gives a local network view of all connected devices, enabling them to be scanned and examined for any weaknesses.

Finally, the My Norton App is where you’ll have access to all your connected devices and can control the different functions and features. The layout is clean and easy to navigate.

Malwarebytes

As the name might suggest, Malwarebytes specializes in malware removal. However, it’s different from many other antivirus programs in that it offers no real-time protection to block malware from being installed on your device. Instead, it targets malware that already exists on your device.

After the Damage Is Done

Malwarebytes is not designed to be an all-in-one solution for your device, but rather as a specialized tool that removes any pre-existing malware on your system. If you feel that your system has been compromised or that your existing antivirus software has missed something, then Malwarebytes provides a quick and easy way to check.

Versions

Malwarebytes offers a free 14-day trial period. After this, your options are to subscribe to the Standard or Plus version. There’s not much difference between the two, except for the latter’s inclusion of a VPN. If you’re unsatisfied with the software, there’s also a 60-day money-back guarantee.

In addition, there’s also Adware Cleaner, a dedicated adware removal tool to scan and clean your PC. It’s free to download and doesn’t even need to be installed to run and clean your machine of any trackers or adware that have been picked up while browsing.

What really sets Malwarebytes apart is its price. The protection is offered at a very low rate, for individuals and teams, as well as for multiple devices. This makes it very easy to run in conjunction with other protection software, providing backup for whenever you feel unsure.

Features

Because it’s an inexpensive malware removal tool, Malwarebytes doesn’t come with a lot of features of other antivirus software. It does however offer cross-platform support on PCs and smart devices. In addition, it offers Plus users access to its VPN. It’s a pared-down service but still functions faster than your average VPN.

Malwarebytes also offers browser protection in the form of Browser Guard. This is a comparatively simple program, blocking both ads and trackers and directing you away from any suspicious sites, through phishing protections. That said, it offers no active protection against ransomware, nor checks any downloads for possible malware.

Bitdefender

Bitdefender is another well-known name in malware protection. Its anti-virus capabilities are frequently lauded in tests for its simplicity and speed, no matter the platform.

High Defense, Low Impact

On first installing Bitdefender, it’ll conduct an initial scan that takes a while to complete. After this, it is one of the lowest performance impact footprints of any antivirus software available. You’ll be able to push your computer and other devices to the limit without worrying about slowdowns due to occasional scans.

Bitdefender runs quietly in the background with the help of Autopilot. The feature is less obtrusive than in previous versions, but is useful in getting you familiar with the full range of the software’s features, offering suggestions as to where your device’s security can be tightened.

Versions

Bitdefender offers you an entire month to test out its capabilities before subscribing. After that, there are three paid options to choose from, ranging from least to most expensive: Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, and Total Security. Each level comes with access to more features.

If protection is needed for multiple devices, you can secure up to 10 of them with Premium Security, Ultimate Security, and Ultimate Security Plus. Bitdefender even sweetens the deal by offering discounts on the first year of membership.

Bitdefender is one of the most affordable comprehensive solutions on the market, but you can add other features as paid extras. For example, you can buy a subscription to Bitdefender’s VPN and password management features. To top it off, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Features

Bitdefender offers different features between their all-in-one offerings and their individual device security plans. The Premium and Ultimate Security plans focus on identity and privacy protection across all covered devices. This includes identity theft insurance of up to $2 million. In addition, credit ratings can be monitored across multiple bureaus and Ultimate Security Plus even keeps an eye on your banking and credit card transactions.

Both all-in-one and device protection plans offer browser security that blocks trackers, implements parental controls, encrypts data, filters spam, installs firewalls, and anti-theft monitoring. The Bitdefender Central dashboard, meanwhile, gives you a quick way to check any of these functions on multiple browsers.

Bitdefender also includes the Network Threat Protection and Online Threat Protection features that act as an extra layer of security: a secondary firewall. These keep both the browser and extended network safe from attacks, and shore up weaknesses in the operating systems and installed apps themselves.

ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware

Living up to its name, ZoneAlarm’s Anti-Ransomware offers extensive protection against the infiltration and encryption of your valuable files and data.

Active Protection

ZoneAlarm’s software constantly scans your PC, monitoring all running processes for suspicious activity. Bolstered with AI functionality, it lures potential ransomware by placing bait files throughout a PC’s folders, using keywords that are likely to attract unwanted attention. Any program that tries to access these files will be immediately removed and quarantined.

The software also creates mirror files and duplicates that can be encrypted by ransomware. This doesn’t stop the attack, but offers dummy files as a sacrifice, rendering the ransomware ineffective and keeping your files safe.

Versions

Being another specialized protection tool, ZoneAlarm’s offering isn’t as expensive as full-service antivirus software, but the software still isn’t cheap. Still, if your information is valuable, it could be worth it. It’s also currently limited to PC and Windows, with no apparent plans to expand.

Anti-Ransomware gives you the chance to try before you buy with a seven-day free trial. The company offers only one tier of service, with the price based on how many PCs you’ll install the software on and for how long (one or two years). However, ZoneAlarm offers a big discount on your first payment, which might be enough of an incentive to try it.

Features

Protection from ransomware is ZoneAlarm’s main focus. It offers Threat Extraction, a tool that scans all downloads and attachments for potential ransomware, removing any harmful files immediately. Threat Emulation tests these files in a virtual sandbox, providing additional protection from threats, especially day-zero attacks.

In addition to Anti-Ransomware protection, there are a few other features bundled with the feature. Anti-phishing scans all websites for suspicious activity, and Content Filtering blocks access to sites based on your preferences.

Avast

Avast is another reliable and effective malware prevention tool. What makes it so popular is its absolutely free option. If you’re looking for more protection and features though, the software is more than happy to deliver it with a Premium version.

Cost-effective Protection

Even if you opt for the Premium version, Avast is less inexpensive than many other antivirus options out there. But it still boasts an impressive range of features and protection. It’s completely cross-platform and offers great protection and capabilities for Mac machines. Avast prides itself on its simplicity, and the program interface reflects this with its stripped-down design.

On the performance side, it does have a higher impact on performance that may be experienced when scans are running. That said, it’s not prohibitively slow.

Versions

Avast Essential is free to all and gives the user the basic functions of an antivirus: blocking and removing malware. There is no trial period necessary, obviously, so if the bare-bones UI suits you, then you’ll be set forever. Premium and Ultimate are the other two options, each with additional features such as multiple device protection. If you find you don’t like it, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Avast manages its cost efficiency by making some offerings separate paid features. These include:

• Access to Avast’s VPN protection
• Cleanup software for your PC
• Anti-tracking software to keep you safe online

If you’d like to have all of these together, then they are bundled with the Ultimate package, along with all other features.

Features

Avast keeps you safe online with phishing and ransomware protection and steers you away from unsafe sites.

One unique feature of Avast is its protection of your files. It stops apps and programs from accessing important files without your express permission. You can even manually choose which file extensions are protected in this way.

This may sound like it could get tedious, especially whenever you are trying to open a simple Word document or spreadsheet, but that’s where Smart Mode comes in. This feature identifies reliable programs, like the Microsoft Office Suite, and allows them unfettered access. You can also choose these programs from Avast’s dashboard directly.

McAfee

McAfee often comes bundled with other software and may seem to many like bloatware. However, this antivirus has proven to be capable of handling any malware that comes its way and can do so on any number of household devices.

Online Excellence

McAfee offers all the standard protections of an antivirus but excels at battling malware online. It guards against ransomware and phishing, offering up to $2 million in compensation for any compromised identity information.

McAfee comes with cross-platform support for all computers and devices, though, once again, some functions are limited for Mac and iOS users. The app itself is very easy to download and install on any device and is similarly simple to use. The best part is there’s no limit to the number of devices you can include on a plan.

Versions

In addition to a 30-day trial, McAfee splits its software into two groups: Individual and Family plans. Within either of those are three tiers: McAfee Premium, Advanced, and Ultimate, with the last two offering identity theft financial coverage. Every plan offers a VPN service for added online protection. Finally, there’s a discount for the first year and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Features

McAfee provides browser support, constantly monitoring for suspicious activity like ransomware or phishing. Expanding its protection, it also lets you monitor your credit rating and transaction history, provided you belong to a major bank.

Data brokers will often collect aggregate data from your various accounts to build an online profile of you, which can then be sold off to marketers or more corrupt individuals. Marketers are supposed to delete this data on request, but with so many brokers, this can get daunting. Thankfully, McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup will do this process for you, filing for the deletion of your data from over 40 major brokers every three months.

In addition, Online Account Cleanup will help you hunt down all old and unused accounts tied to an email address and give you the choice to keep or delete them. This beats trying to remember what sites you were part of five years ago.

ESET

Another well-established name in protection software, ESET offers customizability and functions best as a malware scanner and remover.

Protection Your Way

In many ways, ESET is more at home in the hands of someone who’s more tech-savvy. It’s a favorite of IT specialists for its highly customizable search-and-scan features. Its advanced diagnostic tools can generate security reports, give insight into running processes, and let you review all log files.

The initial scan is slow and thorough but serves to map out your PC and any existing threats. While there isn’t a quick scan option, ESET does offer the ability to scan removable devices and create a custom scan of any folder or drive. In addition, the included firewall is customizable, allowing you to configure the operation of every app and program down to the finest detail.

Unfortunately, ESET’s full capabilities are limited to Windows. Mac users will have to make do with the basics. There’s also no support for Android or iOS devices.

Versions

Before you make a decision, ESET gives you the chance to test all its features free for 30 days. When it expires, you can choose from the Essential, Premium, or Ultimate packages for family or business, with prices based on the number of devices it will be used on and the length of the subscription. Just like the software, the pricing options themselves are highly customizable. You can cover up to 10 devices for three years, and everything in between.

Features

Only Ultimate subscribers get access to ESET’s VPN. Metadata Cleanup is another top-tier function that removes any potentially compromising data from uploads, keeping your privacy intact.

ESET’s website protection is very strict, even overzealous at times. It’ll block any site it deems suspicious, which can be a bit frustrating if a regularly visited site makes it on the list. While there are no browser extensions or dashboards, the antivirus is always keeping an eye on things, including parental controls.

Your banking information and password management are protected by ESET. You’ll have an extra layer of security when entering any important codes, as the software encrypts your keystrokes. Another handy security feature is its anti-theft system. If your device is stolen, access to essential files and data on your PC will be blocked and the webcam can even be used to take photos of the thief.

Stay Safe Online

It can be dangerous online. As hackers find new, sophisticated ways to plant malware on devices, it becomes more and more important to keep your identity and data protected. The malware removal software you choose will largely depend on your needs, situation, and budget. There’s no right choice since the tools you choose depend on your needs.

Hopefully, you now have a solid understanding of the best tools out there for battling malware, enabling you to stay safe and browse with confidence.

What malware removal software have you tried before? Are there any that you swear by? Let us know in the comment section below.