Protect your PC from all kinds of malicious software, and safely remove any infections without data loss. Its comprehensive suite of tools to protect your PC makes BitDefender the best free anti-malware software you can download today. It's all the protection you need in one handy package.
Malware is any form of malicious software – not just viruses, worms and keyloggers, but also nuisance programs like adware that add toolbars to your web browser, bombard you with popup windows, hijack your homepage, and send your personal data to advertisers. These are not only annoying, but also present a serious security risk. Is an excellent first line of defence for your PC, but it's often a good idea to install additional anti-malware software to boost your protection from a more diverse range of threats. Alternatively, you could replace your existing security software with a whole new suite designed to protect against all kinds of malware - see our.
Here we've rounded up the best free anti-malware software for Windows – whether you're looking for a whole new security package, or just an additional program to give your regular antivirus a boost. Discreet but effective, BitDefender is the best free anti-malware for your PC is the strong, silent type. This anti-malware software doesn't even ask questions when you install it – it just quietly gets on with the job of identifying and eliminating anything that poses a risk to your safety and security. It has B-Have, which looks for apps behaving badly; link scanning to identify cons; proactive malware and spyware scanning that can detect threats nobody has encountered before; and boot scanning every time you start your PC. Ad-free, nag-free and hassle-free, BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition is a great product that runs quickly and silently while you get on with something more interesting.
Its comprehensive suite of tools to protect your PC makes BitDefender the best free anti-malware software you can download today. It's all the protection you need in one handy package. Review and where to download: 2. A simple interface and effective scanning with remote activation If you're looking for anti-malware software that keeps quiet and won't disturb your work, be warned – is quite vocal with its notifications, and irks us from time to time with pop-ups telling us we've done something fantastic with regard to our online safety. As an anti-malware app, though, it's very good. The dashboard is user-friendly, there's protection not just from downloadable threats, but from dodgy links too, and you can use your mobile to scan your PC remotely, which is pretty clever.
The paid-for Pro model has more security options - it has more robust download protection, offers data encryption includes a firewall - but the free version offers decent protection for most PC users. Review and where to download: 3. An excellent anti-malware tool, but the free version lacks real-time protection You can use free for as long as you like, but there's an important caveat: real-time protection, the fast 'hyper scan' mode and malicious website blocking features all expire after 14 days - and that means you're missing out on some of the program's best features. MalwareBytes has a deserved reputation for destroying malware and spyware that other programs miss, and its chameleon technology - which once again expires after a fortnight in the free version - means it's less susceptible to attacks that deliberately target security software. Think of the free version as a short-term savior or a test drive; the Premium version costs £19.95 (about US$30, AU$40) per year.
Review and where to download: 4. An anti-malware and anti-spyware stalwart that's ideal for diagnosing existing infections is a veteran of the malware wars, dating back to the first adware in 2000, and while it doesn't scan for viruses – that's in the Home version, which is $13.99 (about £10, AU$20) – the free software does a decent job of finding and fixing adware, malware and spyware. It's more of a system repair tool than a system protection tool, however, and you need to be careful where you get it from: there are fake versions in circulation designed to cause damage, not fix it. The version linked here is the real deal. Review and where to download: 5. A lifesaver if your PC has already been infected with malware, but not a preventative tool Most security software tries to stop malware and spyware getting onto your system.
Doesn't: it's the 911 call of security software, the app you use when your PC's been poked by something unpleasant. It's designed to be portable – an anti-malware app you carry around with you on a USB stick – and its system requirements are tiny: just 200MB of RAM, so it'll run happily on any PC with 1GB memory or more. With two million malware signatures, Emsisoft Emergency Kit can restore almost any infected PC to rude health. Review and where to download: •: Everything to know about Intel's 8th-gen CPUs.
Spybot - Search and Destroy is a free malware and spyware detection and removal tool that utilizes open source malware definitions to protect your computer against attack. What makes the tool so useful is that it is very lightweight -- running in the background without interrupting your activities -- but it can actively identify threats when they appear on your computer. Pros Free and powerful: Unlike many spyware and malware detectors, Spybot is free for personal use, being supported largely by commercial licenses and donations. Combined with the frequent updates, speedy scans, and a number of tools like System and File Scan, Immunization, and a Quarantine-level update, this is a very powerful tool. While hidden at first, there are also advanced tools like Report Creator, Startup Tools, and Rootkit Scan. Long pedigree: Spybot has been a free tool since the 1990's, and the developers continuously update and add new features. After installation, you'll be prompted to back up your Registry, and at any time you can switch from manual to automatic protection mode.
For most users, then, Spybot is easy to use, running automatically in the background at set times, but it also offers more advanced tools for users with the experience to use them. Cons Some hidden tools: While all basic tools are free to use, and you'll never pay for a definitions update, some tools remain locked pending a paid upgrade. These include Phone Scan, Boot CD Creator, Secure Shredder, and System Repair. These are not vital or core parts of the software, but it's not immediately clear how to unlock and use them. Autotune Effekt Programmable Thermostat.
Some tools removed: Longtime favorite tools like TeaTimer have been removed, while new tools are available, albeit with some of them costing money. Spybot was never a full replacement for an Antivirus suite, but some longtime users may be frustrated with the changes. Bottom Line If you have spyware or malware on your computer, your first step should be to download Spybot. This free detection tool is among the most trusted, and it's the ideal first step when you suspect a problem or want to ensure future problems don't create headaches.
From Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system.
For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.