Q: 🤔 What’s the best free malware removal tool?

Avira Free is the best free antivirus on the market, and it comes with a powerful and effective anti-malware scanner. That said, all free anti-malware software has some kind of limitation. Avira, for instance, limits its best features to its Avira Prime paid antivirus — offering better web protections, better optimization tools, and a much better VPN. Free products are good for basic protection and prevention, but when it comes to cybersecurity, you get what you pay for. If you want the best malware remover along with other protections, you’ll need to invest in a good paid antivirus. Norton 360 is my top malware removal tool of 2021 — it uses a variety of advanced detection methods to scan for, find, quarantine, and remove malware, plus it comes with a firewall, anti-phishing tools, identity theft monitoring, a VPN, a password manager, and parental controls to help protect against malware attacks in the future.

Question 1

&#129300; What&rsquo;s the difference between viruses and malware?

Accepted Answer

Viruses are one type of malware, but there are many other types of malware that aren’t viruses. Malware is any malicious software designed to damage, spread, or provide unwanted access to a computer, device, or network.

Examples of malware include:

Trojan. Any malware that pretends to be a benign program file, then secretly activates after installation to provide hackers system surveillance, remote access, or the ability to damage your system.
Ransomware. Infects your device and encrypts your most valuable files until you pay a ransom to the hackers to unlock your device. Commonly used against businesses and enterprises.
Spyware. Usually bundled with free downloads. Provides hackers access to your screen, keystrokes, microphone, and webcam to steal your personal information and even influence your suggested search results.
Adware. Similar to spyware. Hijacks your browser, collects your browsing history and displays unwanted, targeted ads on your desktop and browser. Many of the linked ads can lead to serious malware downloads or phishing sites designed to steal financial information.
Keylogger. Logs your keystrokes, granting access to everything you type on your device, including your passwords and credit card details.

Viruses are a type of malware in the same way that carrots are a type of vegetables — and just like a chef uses a variety of tools to cook with every type of vegetable (including carrots), the best anti-malware programs — like Norton — use advanced tools like machine learning, heuristic analysis, and cloud-based malware directories to detect the whole range of known malware files.

Question 2

&#129300; What&rsquo;s the difference between antivirus software and anti-malware software?

Accepted Answer

The terms ‘antivirus’ and ‘anti-malware’ are mostly interchangeable. Viruses are only one type of malware, but every antivirus software is designed to detect a broad range of malware, such as trojans, worms, rootkits, ransomware, and adware.

A simple antivirus decides that files are malicious by comparing them to a directory of known malware. If any of your files are a match for known malware in the antivirus’s directory, the antivirus notifies you that the file is harmful. This is great for catching most types of known viruses, trojans, and worms, but it won’t detect newer malware files that aren’t saved in a malware directory, like cryptojackers, ransomware, rootkits, and spyware.

Advanced anti-malware tools like Norton and TotalAV use behavior analysis, heuristics, and machine learning/artificial intelligence to detect and remove malicious files in real time — whereas lower-quality antiviruses only provide on-demand scanning (thereby leaving your devices vulnerable).

Question 3

&#129300; What&rsquo;s the best malware removal software for Windows?

Accepted Answer

Norton 360 is my overall favorite antivirus software and anti-malware tool, boasting a 100% malware detection and removal rate along with several standout features that can prevent future cyber attacks.I also like TotalAV’s intuitive interface and fast malware scanner, making it a good option for Windows users needing a simple (but strong) tool for removing malicious software.

But most of the top anti-malware packages on this list will work well with Windows.

You can read more in our in-depth comparison of the best antiviruses for Windows here.

Question 4

&#129300; What&rsquo;s the best free malware removal tool?

Accepted Answer

Avira Free is the best free antivirus on the market, and it comes with a powerful and effective anti-malware scanner.

That said, all free anti-malware software has some kind of limitation. Avira, for instance, limits its best features to its Avira Prime paid antivirus — offering better web protections, better optimization tools, and a much better VPN.

Free products are good for basic protection and prevention, but when it comes to cybersecurity, you get what you pay for. If you want the best malware remover along with other protections, you’ll need to invest in a good paid antivirus. Norton 360 is my top malware removal tool of 2021 — it uses a variety of advanced detection methods to scan for, find, quarantine, and remove malware, plus it comes with a firewall, anti-phishing tools, identity theft monitoring, a VPN, a password manager, and parental controls to help protect against malware attacks in the future.

Question 5

🤔 Are these really the lowest prices?

Accepted Answer

I’ve searched all over the internet to find the best antivirus deals possible. All of the deals on this list are linking to each brand’s discount page where they offer their lowest-priced packages.

Almost all of these pages are “secret” deals. If you try to search elsewhere, you’re likely going to end up paying a higher price. You won’t be able to find a lower price than the discounts I’ve listed here.

Question 6

🤔 Are there any antivirus free trials?

Accepted Answer

Most antivirus packages these days don’t have any free trials. But all of the products on this list have money-back guarantees.

For instance, Norton 360 has a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can use it for 60 days completely risk-free. If you decide you don’t like it, simply return it for a full refund, no questions asked. It’s basically a 60-day free trial!

Question 7

🤔 Do I really need to pay for an antivirus?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the level of security you want. If you’re only using your device for basic things like watching Netflix and browsing the internet, then you’ll probably be ok with a free antivirus (I’d recommend Avira Free Security).

But if you’re like me and you have a lot of sensitive information stored on your device — banking info, passwords, work documents, pictures, financial statements, etc. — then it’s always better to invest in a premium antivirus and ensure the safety of your device and your information.

And these are the best deals with the best cybersecurity companies. Like and .

All of the antivirus deals listed here will provide way better protection than any free antivirus.

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