9 Best Malware Protection & Removal Software Reviewed 2023 | Top Malicious Program Removal Tools

Shopping for the best anti-malware software suite can seem like something of a minefield. The importance of reliable malware removal cannot be overstated, given the growing threat posed to every connected device worldwide that do not have internet security software tools with anti malware or separate anti malware solutions.

You’re effectively putting your safety in the hands of an intelligent piece of coding, so you need to be confident it’s the best anti-malware package for the job. If you have an antivirus with VPN, all the better.

We have dedicated antivirus for Mac reviews in case you aren't a Windows user.

Finding a decent malware scanner to both detect and remove malware isn’t particularly difficult. By contrast, narrowing things down to the very best malware protection package is something else entirely. 

In this fully independent overview, I’ll be taking a look at a selection of the best malware removal tools on the market, while covering the basics on why reliable malware detection and removal is essential.

What Is Anti-Malware?

As the name suggests, malware removal tools are designed to both detect and eliminate all types of malware from traditional computers, laptops and mobile devices alike. Common and rare forms of spyware, adware, and worms are automatically detected and dealt with accordingly, before they have a chance to pose a threat to your system or you personally. We recommend checking out our best anti spyware lineup to date.

The best malware software is the type that automatically detects malware the moment it attempts to gain access to your system. This way, it is wiped out long before it can do any damage. Some malware software offers real-time coverage, while other software suites perform periodic scans to find and deal with potential issues on your computer.

In order for malware software to be truly effective, it needs to protect you from threats in the first place – not simply deal with them once they have already compromised your safety and security.

What’s the Difference Between Viruses and Malware?

The primary difference between malware and virus software is the way in which they focus on two different types of threats. A computer virus works similarly to an organic virus, infecting a system through the insertion of malicious code before spreading and multiplying. Viruses are one of many types of malware, which can be quickly and effectively detected and eradicated with a high-quality software suite.

The term ‘malware’ refers to any type of malicious software that’s been designed specifically to compromise or damage a computer, a network or a device of any kind. While a virus may corrupt data and/or render a system entirely inoperable, malware is typically used as a basis to conduct criminal activities. The term malware was coined by Yisrael Radai in 1990. The first recorded example of malware is the Creeper virus by engineer Robert Thomas who created it as an experiment.

A few common examples of malware include the following:

Viruses and malware therefore technically fall within the same category of computer threats, though are quite different in nature.

What’s the Difference Between Antivirus Software and Anti-Malware Software? 

Given the above, it stands to reason that anti-malware software and anti-virus software will also be quite different in nature. There are some packages that provide robust protection against both, though many are designed exclusively with viruses or malware in mind.

In any case, it is important to ensure your system is protected from malware and viruses with equal effectiveness. All connected devices face a constant risk of being infected by viruses and malware, so you cannot afford to drop your guard for even a moment.

Unless your antivirus suite specifically states that it provides total malware protection (or vice-versa), you have to assume it doesn’t.

Best Anti Malware Reviews 

With the basics of malware and its prevention taken care of, we’ll now be taking a look at 9 of the highest-rated anti-malware software suites available on the market right now.

Why or When Should You Use Anti-Malware? 

The benefits of using anti-malware software should be relatively obvious by this point. It’s something of a fundamental security essential, if you’re to protect yourself from hackers, malware, viruses, system hijacking and so on. A single ‘hole’ in your security coverage will usually be more than enough for cybercriminals to find their way in and do their bidding.

As for when you should use malware detection and removal software, the short answer is – all the time. It’s possible for malware and viruses to find their way onto your computer anytime it is switched on and connected to a network. This means that even if you conducted a detailed scan an hour ago, you could have been infected in the meantime.

Technically speaking, therefore, there’s no such thing as running malware scans too often. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, when it’s your safety and security on the line.

Malware Prevention Measures

Of course, the best way of dealing with the threat posed by malware is to protect yourself and your system from all possible threats in the first place. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, though the following malware/virus safety tips typically prove the most effective of all:

What’s the Best Anti-Malware Software for Windows?

Identifying the best anti-malware software suite for Windows (or any other operating system) means taking into account a few key characteristics. How much you can afford to spend will always be a factor, but by no means should be the only factor used to select malware software.

Here are the four most important things to consider when shopping for an anti-malware suite:

• Protection Level. A malware protection package that doesn’t provide robust and reliable protection isn’t worth having. This is where expert reviews and independent test results can prove invaluable.
• Value for Money. Far more important than costs alone, you need to consider the extent to which the software package represents good overall value for money.
• Ease of Use.  While some malware prevention suites are easy to get to grips with, others are more suited to those with plenty of experience and technical expertise.
• Customer Support. Sooner or later, you have to assume that you will need to contact the software’s customer support team with a question or two.

Just as long as the software you’re considering fulfils these key quality tests, you’re probably looking at a safe bet.

How Do I Know If My Computer Is Infected with Malware?

The only fool-proof way of knowing whether your computer has been infected with malware is to conduct a detailed scan, courtesy of a reliable anti-malware suite. However, there are several tell-tale signs and symptoms of malware infection.

A few examples of which include the following:

What’s important to remember is that in any instance where your computer begins behaving strangely, it could be an indication of infection. In which case, it is essential to conduct a detailed scan immediately and deal with any problems detected.

Does Anti-Malware Software Replace an Antivirus? 

There’s no straight answer to this question, as it depends entirely on the software suite you choose. Some of the best and highest-rated antivirus suites on the market provide impressive malware detection and prevention, just as some specialist malware software offers protection from viruses.

Again, it’s a case of checking the extent to which your chosen software covers one or both of these requirements. Unless it clearly states that it covers you against both, you have to assume it doesn’t.

In any case, some experts recommend running a standalone virus package against an equally competent standalone malware suite. If looking to benefit from the best of both worlds, it’s sometimes necessary to sign up for two subscriptions – particularly if high-level, near-impenetrable security is a priority.

FAQs:

1. What is the best anti-malware for Windows 10?

These are the Top 3 Best Anti Malware that we tested and recommended.

1. McAfee Total Protection - McAfee Total Protection is intended to protect your business against impending attacks, viruses, malware, and other online threats that continue to bring companies down. It is a light software that will not lag your device once it installs. This also improves the boot time of your device system.
2. Norton 360 Deluxe - Norton 360 Deluxe is one of the only packages of its kind available that has consistently detected and blocked 100% of malicious files when launched. It’s the ideal choice for families, shared households and businesses, with a variety of options available to cover multiple devices.
3. Kaspersky - Kaspersky continues to be a name that raises eyebrows across the cybersecurity community. With its somewhat checkered and questionable past, Kaspersky often goes entirely overlooked by everyday household and business users alike.

2. Should I get rid of Malwarebytes?

No, you should not get rid of Malwarebytes. It is a good program that can help protect your computer from malware and other threats. However, you should also use other security programs to provide additional protection.

3. Can Windows Defender remove malware?

Yes, True. If Windows Defender detects malware on your computer, it will automatically remove it. However, because Microsoft does not regularly update Defender's virus definitions, the most recent malware will be missed.

4. Is Free Antivirus enough?

No, it's not. Antivirus software is important for protecting your computer from malware, but it's not enough on its own. You also need to use a firewall and keep your software up to date.

5. How can you protect against malware?

How to protect yourself from malware.

1. Maintain an up-to-date computer and software.
2. Whenever possible, use a non-administrator account.
3. Consider your actions carefully before clicking links or downloading anything.
4. Proceed with caution when opening email attachments or images.
5. Be skeptical of pop-up windows requesting that you download software.
6. Keep your file-sharing to a minimum.