The Most Popular Anti-malware, Ranked

Choose the anti-malware you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 14, 2024 06:47
In today’s digital age, securing your devices from malicious software is more crucial than ever. As threats evolve, so does the need for effective anti-malware solutions. By ranking these essential tools, users gain insight into which products are trusted by their peers, helping them make informed decisions about protecting their online life. This dynamic list is shaped by the votes and experiences of users from around the globe. By participating, you contribute to a broader understanding of which anti-malware tools perform the best in real-world scenarios. Your input ensures the list remains relevant and reflective of current user preferences and security trends.

What Is the Most Popular Anti-malware?

  1. 1
    69
    votes
    It is one of the most popular anti-malware software due to its effective detection and removal of malware from computers.
    Malwarebytes is a popular anti-malware software designed to detect and remove various types of malware from computer systems. It provides real-time protection against malware infections, such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). With its advanced scanning technology, Malwarebytes can effectively identify and eliminate threats for a safer computing experience.
    • Real-time protection: Yes
    • Malware detection: Wide-ranging
    • Removal of viruses: Yes
    • Ransomware protection: Yes
    • Spyware detection and removal: Yes
  2. 2
    40
    votes

    Norton Antivirus

    NortonLifeLock Inc.
    It is a well-known anti-malware software that provides excellent protection against all types of malware. It also includes a firewall and online security features.
    Norton Antivirus is a widely recognized anti-malware software developed by NortonLifeLock Inc (formerly known as Symantec Corporation). It offers comprehensive protection against various types of malware, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and phishing threats. With a long-established reputation in the cybersecurity industry, Norton Antivirus is known for its advanced threat detection technology and reliable performance.
    • Real-time Protection: Provides continuous monitoring and immediate action against malware threats in real-time.
    • Behavioral Protection: Analyzes the behavior of applications and files to detect and block suspicious activities.
    • Malware Scanning: Offers on-demand and scheduled scans to detect and eliminate malware infections.
    • Web Protection: Blocks malicious websites and protects against phishing attempts.
    • Email Protection: Scans email attachments for malware and safeguards against email-borne threats.
  3. 3
    15
    votes

    Kaspersky Anti-Virus

    Kaspersky Lab
    It is a widely used anti-malware software that provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. It also includes additional features such as parental controls and system cleanup tools.
    Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a widely recognized anti-malware software that provides protection against various types of threats, including viruses, Trojans, worms, ransomware, and spyware. It offers advanced security features and real-time protection to keep your system safe from malware infections.
    • Real-Time Protection: Detects and blocks malware in real-time
    • Virus Scanning: Scans files, downloads, and emails for viruses
    • Malware Removal: Removes existing malware infections from the system
    • Web Protection: Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
    • Email Protection: Scans and filters email attachments for malware
  4. 4
    8
    votes
    It is a popular anti-malware software that offers real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. It also includes additional features such as a firewall and phishing protection.
  5. 5
    13
    votes

    AVG Antivirus

    AVG Technologies
    It is a widely used anti-malware software that provides protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. It also includes features such as email protection, anti-spam, and online shield.
    AVG Antivirus is a popular anti-malware software designed to protect computers from various threats, including viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware. It offers real-time protection, regular virus definition updates, and a user-friendly interface that caters to both beginners and advanced users alike.
    • Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, Android
    • Real-time Protection: Yes
    • Virus Definition Updates: Automatic
    • Malware Protection: Yes
    • Spyware Protection: Yes
  6. 6
    18
    votes

    Bitdefender Antivirus

    Bitdefender
    It is a well-known anti-malware software that provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. It also includes advanced features such as ransomware protection and Wi-Fi security advisor.
    Bitdefender Antivirus is a popular anti-malware software designed to protect computers from various cyber threats. It offers real-time protection, advanced scanning capabilities, and a user-friendly interface.
    • Real-time protection: Yes
    • Advanced scanning capabilities: Yes
    • User-friendly interface: Yes
    • Multi-platform support: Yes
    • Anti-phishing: Yes
  7. 7
    7
    votes

    ESET NOD32 Antivirus

    ESET, spol. s.r.o.
    It is a popular anti-malware software that offers real-time protection against all types of malware. It also includes additional features such as anti-phishing and anti-spyware protection.
    ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a top-rated anti-malware software designed to protect computers from various forms of malware, including viruses, worms, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, and adware. It provides real-time protection with an efficient scanning engine and advanced heuristic algorithms to detect and block threats.
    • Operating Systems Supported: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP (Service Pack 3 and later)
    • Malware Detection: High detection rate using advanced scanning algorithms
    • Real-time Protection: Continuous monitoring and automatic blocking of malicious activities
    • Exploit Blocker: Protection against attacks targeting vulnerabilities in various applications
    • Anti-Phishing: Prevention of fraudulent websites that attempt to steal sensitive information
  8. 8
    10
    votes

    Trend Micro Antivirus

    Trend Micro
    It is a widely used anti-malware software that provides protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. It also includes features such as parental controls and online banking protection.
    Trend Micro Antivirus is a popular anti-malware software designed to protect computers from various threats such as viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, and other online attacks. It offers real-time protection, continuous updates, and advanced scanning capabilities to keep your system secure.
    • Real-time Protection: Yes
    • Continuous Updates: Yes
    • Advanced Scanning: Yes
    • Malware Detection: Yes
    • Ransomware Protection: Yes
  9. 9
    2
    votes

    McAfee Antivirus

    McAfee, LLC
    It is a well-known anti-malware software that provides protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. It also includes features such as a firewall and identity theft protection.
    McAfee Antivirus is a popular anti-malware software designed to protect computers and mobile devices from various digital threats. It offers real-time scanning, protection against viruses, malware, and ransomware, as well as a range of additional security features. McAfee Antivirus is known for its user-friendly interface and efficient performance.
    • Real-time scanning: Yes
    • Virus protection: Yes
    • Malware protection: Yes
    • Ransomware protection: Yes
    • Firewall protection: Yes
  10. 10
    2
    votes

    Windows Defender

    Microsoft Corporation
    It is a free anti-malware software that comes pre-installed with Windows. It provides basic protection against viruses and other malware.
    Windows Defender is a built-in anti-malware software for the Windows operating system. It provides real-time protection from various types of malicious software, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other potentially unwanted software. It includes a range of security features and tools to safeguard the user's system and data.
    • Operating System: Windows
    • Real-time Protection: Yes
    • Virus Detection: Yes
    • Spyware Detection: Yes
    • Ransomware Detection: Yes

Missing your favorite anti-malware?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular anti-malware

  1. Detection and Removal Capability
    The ability of the anti-malware to detect and remove a wide range of malware, such as viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, adware, and spyware, is crucial. This includes the software's capability to deal with zero-day threats and its effectiveness in real-time scanning.
  2. Performance and System Impact
    Consider how much the anti-malware software affects the performance of your device. The software should provide robust protection without consuming too much system resources or slowing down the device.
  3. Ease of Use and User Interface
    The anti-malware software should be user-friendly, with a clear and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to configure and manage their protection settings.
  4. Frequent Updates and Development
    It's crucial for anti-malware software to receive regular updates to stay ahead of emerging threats. The software should have an active development team that is dedicated to updating the software with new features and improvements.
  5. Compatibility
    The anti-malware should be compatible with your operating system and other software installed on your device. This includes compatibility with different versions of the operating system and with other security software you might be using.
  6. Customer Support
    Consider the quality of customer support provided by the anti-malware software vendor. Good support should include multiple channels of communication, such as email, phone, and live chat, as well as a comprehensive knowledge base or help center to assist users with common questions or issues.
  7. Pricing and Licensing Options
    Compare pricing and available licensing options of different anti-malware products. Some may offer a one-time purchase, while others provide a subscription model. Check if the software has a free trial or a free version with limited features, which can help you evaluate the product before committing to a purchase.
  8. User Reviews and Reputation
    Research user reviews and industry expert opinions about the anti-malware software. This will give you an idea of the software's effectiveness and popularity among users and its standing in the security industry.
  9. Additional Features
    Some anti-malware software offers additional features like privacy protection, password management, system optimization, and secure browsing. Consider the value of these extra features and whether they are important to you.
  10. Independent Testing Results
    Check results from independent testing organizations, such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives. These tests evaluate the effectiveness of anti-malware solutions in detecting and removing threats, and their impact on system performance.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular anti-malware. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or anti-malware is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2039 views
  • 189 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each anti-malware once every 24 hours. The rank of each anti-malware is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular anti-malware

Background Information: Anti-Malware Malware, short for malicious software, refers to any software designed to harm computers, networks, or mobile devices. Malware includes viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, adware, spyware, and other types of malicious software. Malware can cause a wide range of problems for computer and device users, such as data theft, system crashes, and identity theft. Anti-malware software is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware from computers and devices. Anti-malware software uses a variety of techniques to identify and remove malware, such as signature-based scanning, behavioral analysis, and machine learning. There are many anti-malware software options available on the market, with varying levels of effectiveness and features. Some popular anti-malware software includes Norton, McAfee, Avast, Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes. When choosing an anti-malware software, it's important to consider factors such as price, ease of use, performance, and customer support. As the threat of malware continues to grow, it's essential to have reliable and effective anti-malware software installed on your computer or device to protect against potential harm.

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