What is malware?
We use this term to describe malicious software or malicious code, as the experts like to say. In 2021, malware is a big threat not only for your devices (both desktop and mobile) and for your personal data. Hackers use sophisticated tools to hide malware and look like harmless files, apps, and email links. However, when you download and launch them, they take over the system and cause a lot of damage.
Advanced malicious software can significantly slow down the OS, corrupt entire hard drives, and turn your life into a disaster. It can also encrypt sensitive/personal user data and demand a ransom for the decryption keys. There are different types of malware, such as viruses, Trojans, worms, keyloggers, and ransomware. The one thing that they have in common is their aggressive nature. They are made to get access to your device and wreak havoc on it.
What are the different types of malware?
As we just mentioned, there are many forms of malware, and they’re all quite dangerous. We made a list of the most common malware types that can potentially target your device/data. Take a quick look and learn about each one – what they’re all about, and want kind of damage they can cause:
- Virus. It’s important to say that viruses don’t attack the system on their own. Instead, they come as part of a file you download from the Internet. And, the second you open those files, viruses infect the OS. Unless you’ve got a proper security solution to protect the system, viruses will cause it to malfunction. They will also delete/take over hundreds, if not thousands of files, with different purposes, including ransom.
- Trojan. In contrast to viruses, Trojans are never attached to files. They are embedded in apps (software) that trick the user into thinking they’re harmless and useful. Trojans also target the system (mostly, Windows) and delete or corrupt as many files as possible. Only the best malware removal tools can detect and eliminate Trojans.
- Ransomware. Compared to viruses and Trojans, ransomware is a far more sophisticated and dangerous threat. It’s a standalone piece of code and has only one goal: encrypt files/folders/apps on your drives. You won’t be able to access them ever again unless you pay the cybercriminals. That’s why it’s called “ransomware.” Usually, hackers demand payment in Bitcoins or other types of cryptocurrency so that they’re impossible to track.
- Spyware. You might’ve already guessed by its name that this type of malware is made for spying on the user and his/her data. Spyware can access the webcam and microphone without the user’s knowledge and watch them 24/7. Mostly, it looks for credentials (passwords and logins) and reports back to the hacker. Credit card numbers, bank accounts, and sensitive corporal data: that’s what spyware targets.
- Adware. Adware or adware is a term used to describe unwanted software that displays advertisements on your device. It is considered a potentially unwanted program – a program installed without the user’s special permission. This program interferes with your online experience by showing excessive ads, pop-ups, banners, text links, and commercials’ automatic playback. The purpose of adware is to generate revenue for its developer through advertising.
Malware Scan Types
Scanning your system regularly with antivirus is one of the easiest ways to keep your OS safe. Along with the anti-malware package, your antivirus is the main security feature of your device.
There are 3 main malware scan types: Full Scan, Custom System Scan, and Quick/Smart Scan.
- Full System Scan. A standard malware scan type of deep system scan that checks storage, drives, and memory for malware (including rootkits).
- Custom System Scan. Scans the folders selected before running the malware scan.
- Quick/Smart Scan/On-access Scan. Comprehensive scanning that detects malware, outdated software, low-rating browser extensions, network threats, and performance issues.
Emergency Malware Removal
Never forget that you and your antivirus might miss some new threats or malicious codes. Even when you install some antivirus software, remember that you can get into trouble because viruses already infected your OS. In such cases, you can resort to emergency malware removal, utilizing free cleanup-only software.
For instance, you can make use of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, along with Sophos, Symantec, and Emsisoft (particularly their Emergency Kit). Most security providers also offer a free rescue disk (ISO file that you can set up with your CD or USB), because Windows-based viruses can work only if the system is running. Linux rescue disk might seem unfamiliar because of different environments and built-in malware removal tool. Yet, it does its job well in emergency malware removal, so you need just to ignore the lack of polish.
How do I protect myself against malware?
There are several steps (precautions) that you can take to safeguard your computer/mobile device from outside attacks. First of all, you should be careful and conscious about the files and apps that you download from the Internet. Secondly, you’ll need to purchase a malware removal tool or an internet security suite to protect you against all types of malware. Here’s a short guide:
- Don’t ever download and launch suspicious files, apps, and attachments unless you trust the source 100%;
- Always use an ad-blocker. It will block noisy ad pop-ups and keep the OS running flawlessly;
- Restrain yourself from clicking on every link or ad on websites that don’t look trust-worthy;
- Consider buying an appropriate solution amongst malware cleaners.
How to Choose the Best Malware Protection Software?
There are dozens, if not hundreds of antivirus products on the market, and it can be quite had to find the right one. The good news is – there are more than enough worthy picks, and, while they aren’t particularly low-budget, they will be money well spent. It’s always better to spend a little more on security than to deal with the consequences of choosing a less-than-ideal solution. You’ll end up wasting more time, energy, and money if you trust a cheap program.
But how do you sort through all the available anti-malware solutions? How do you set the worthy investments aside from the average-at-best-products? Here are some things to consider when in search of the best malware cleaners:
- Comprehensive protection. Look for software that’s capable of safeguarding you from all known threats. The alternative is to install several standalone programs that only treat one single type of malware, which isn’t very convenient. So, we recommend choosing an internet security suite that provides comprehensive protection.
- Third-party lab test results. Make sure to check the results of independent third-party lab tests. The leaders in this field are AV-Comparatives and AV-Test. An antivirus solution may be quite popular and attractive in terms of pricing, but it may not be very effective against malware.
- System impact. Most top-10 antivirus products these days have a very modest system impact. Even if you’re using older hardware and software, you probably won’t feel the antivirus working in the background. However, scans (especially full scans) can be quite demanding and make the OS unusable while running.
- Additional features. The list of extras can be rather big, depending on how advanced (and expensive) the malware removal software is. The most important additional tools/services include a password manager (for keeping your logins-passwords safe) and parental controls (for protecting your kids from unwanted content). A VPN is also a must: it will turn you into a digital shadow and hide your online activity from third parties (like hackers or government agencies).
- User-friendliness. There’s nothing worse than an over-crowded dashboard that confuses and overwhelms the user. The UI (user interface) should be straightforward and easy to navigate. The best antiviruses are very intuitive, and all the important menus and buttons are always a couple of clicks away.
- The price. Last but not least, check the price. Most of us look at the price-tag before we even consider purchasing anything. Don’t focus on one single program: learn a bit about all the leading products, and make an educated choice. And if you want to save some money in the long run, commit to yearly subscriptions, as they come with nice discounts.
Top-3 Malware Removal Tools in 2021
TotalAV
Pros:
- Strong protection against malware
- An affordable product that offers excellent value
- Effective against spyware, ransomware, and phishing
- Available on all four major platforms; low system impact
Cons:
- Inconsistency in third-party lab tests
- The Mac app needs some polishing
TotalAV might not be the most fan-favored product, but it’s already one of the best malware cleaners. It is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Plus, the software does almost everything automatically, and you won’t have to change anything to make it more effective. You can access the Antivirus, System Boost, and Disc Cleaner menus on the main dashboard and check the status of the OS.
The big “Scan Now” button in the top right corner launches a quick scan of the system. Another standout feature is the pricing policy. TotalAV’s price is below the industry average, and the program offers excellent value. The bad news is – there aren’t that many lab tests available online. On the bright side, our team ran dozens of tests, and it proved to be highly effective against phishing, ransomware, and all types of spyware.
TotalAV keeps malicious URLs, keyloggers, webcam hijackers, adware, and ransomware samples at bay. Add a low system impact, compatibility with outdated OS/hardware, and see why it is #1 on our list.
PCMatic
Pros:
- An advanced whitelist-based protection method
- Comes packed with many tune-up tools
- Highly effective against emerging (zero-day) attacks
- Offers an attractive lifetime subscription
Cons:
- The number of false positives is well above average
- Not all optimization tools are useful and practical
Compared to TotalAV (and most leading malware removal tools), PCMatic doesn’t follow the blacklist-based approach. Instead, it implements the whitelist-based method to safeguard you from outside threats. So, why would you choose this software over the competition? First of all, it’s incredibly effective against zero-day attacks, which isn’t always the case with leading anti-malware solutions. It’s also quite effective against widespread malware (100% detection rate).
Secondly, the line-up of available optimization tools is truly impressive. You’ve got performance boosters, hard-drive and browser cleaners, and more. While some of those tools are rather basic and not that different from the default Windows modules, most of them are worth your while. On top of that, PC Matic offers a lifetime subscription. Yes, that means you pay for it once, and the software protects you against outside attacks for as long as you need it to.
The biggest downside is the above-average number of false positives. It can be quite frustrating to see those pop-up messages on every step of the way. Fortunately, you can always include files/apps you trust in the exceptions list.
McAfee
Pros:
- Safeguards an unlimited number of computers/phones
- User-friendly, straightforward, and easy to customize
- Leading ID-theft protection (identity monitoring and recovery)
- Includes a decent set of free features and tools
Cons:
- Not that cheap (but well worth the price)
- Puts a lot of strain on the system during full scans
McAfee is one of the most popular and most trusted names among malware removal tools. Over the years, the team has been perfecting the original “formula,” making McAfee even more impressive. Along with industry-leading anti-malware protection, it’s also quite strong against ID theft. The company provides excellent identity monitoring and recovery services.
Plus, with this software, you can protect an unlimited number of devices (both desktop and mobile). The UI is very friendly, quick-to-response, and straightforward. You can customize it to your liking, run instant scans, and check the status right from the main dashboard. While McAfee is a “traditional” malware cleaner, it has a solid list of extra features and tools, most of which are free (like the ad-blocker and the parental controls).
McAfee isn’t one of the most affordable solutions on the market, but it will be money well spent. Another minor con is the above-average system impact during scans. Other than that, it’s a bargain.