One of the biggest problem that comes handy with current technology is the malware. From virus/ransomware attached to ads, all are a part of this vicious circle of malware. However, as every problem has a solution, you can sort out this situation with the help of best malware removal software.
'There are tools for malware reverse-engineering, debugging, and malware analysis on Mac,' including commercial tools like Hopper and IDA, and open-source tools like Radare2, MachO View, lldb, Otool, and Dtrace, Phuc noted in an email interview. Malware Analysis for – still considered an art reserved for a small specialist. With the tool Malboxes, the creators are hoping to make an analysis of malicious software more affordable, providing easy to build, including the battery, the virtual machines.
10 Best Malware Removal Software for Windows/Mac
Used for various purposes and editions like for anti-virus, anti-phishing, adware etc. each of them comes with different features. Still wondering which one is the best for your system? This is the time that you should have a look at this list of best malware removal program which is comprised right below along with every necessary detail mentioned.
1. Malwarebytes Anti Malware
A program which totally deserves to be in the list of top 10 malware remover software is Malwarebytes Anti Malware program. Used vehemently and widely for both home and business use, this program ensures prevention from not only unhealthy virus but also everything relevant which can cause troubles in your system.
The smart technology used by Malwarebytes takes a bigger picture in perspective and works on everything like web protection, exploit mitigation, application hardening, application behavior protection etc.
However, the basic plan which is for free is compatible to only windows. You can go for advanced services with premium plan costing $59.99 per year and can be used for up to 10 devices. Comparing it to other such best malware removal software, I think it is quite affordable.
Other features of this program are real-time multiple protection layers, identifying malware and viruses instantly, complete analysis of likewise viruses, detects and blocks ransomware instantly, does not slow down system's speed and many more. Malwarebytes can also be used for business purposes and offers a different plan for it too.
2. SpyBot Search and Destroy
SpyBot works exactly like its name and hence detects and destroy all types of malware in real time only. Apart from Search and Destroy, SpyBot offers other programs too like FileAlyzer, RegAlyzer, Anti-Beacon etc. However, when it comes to malware removal Search and Destroy program works the best.
Being one of the best malware removal software, gives it features like complete security package, antivirus protection, ransomware protection etc. Although some of the services comes under the paid plan and only the basics one are available in free version.
Apart from the free edition, SpyBot also has other products to offer which are paid and they are advanced versions i.e. SpyBot Home for $15.99 per year and SpyBot Professional for $27.99 per year. However, it is compatible to windows operating system only.
Talking about the features of this program then they are timely scans and fix for malware, complete anti-virus protection, startup analysis and editing, rootkits scan and fix, system immunization, network drives scan and fix, secure shredding, report and log creation and many more other tools and services.
3. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender is not just another best free malware remover program but actually, an award winning and critically acclaimed product for saving your system from all the malware possible. As I am talking about the free edition, you are going to get everything for free here.
However, there is a catch that this edition is not a complete version of the services. And if you want to get the full edition then you would have to buy it for $49.99 which offers total security for your system.
However, talking about this free edition of Bitdefender then it is not that lukewarm that you are thinking. You get features like simple installation and lightning fast speed, light solution for overall protection, perfect for gaming, image and resource oriented applications, complete internet firewall, real time threat detection etc.
I really liked that fact that they have kept it really lightweight and hence it does not affect your system's performance for even a bit. In fact, this is exactly what you should have if you are looking for the best malware removal software.
4. McAfee LiveSafe
Top Malware Analysis Tools
McAfee is a very popular name striking to people looking for perfect malware protection program. A perfect overall cover up for your system to stay immune to cyber-attacks and various viruses too. If you want something for more professional and advanced level protection then McAfee LiveSafe makes an excellent example of best malware removal software according to your requirements.
However, being an advanced protection, McAfee LiveSafe comes with a price too. After 30 days of trial, you would have to pay $99.99 per year for its use.
This price brings you a lot of features and services which you usually do not get in any other malware protection tools. These features are free customer support 24X7, award winning antivirus protection, password manager tool, support to multiple devices with a single license, secure cloud storage up to 1 GB.
McAfee LiveSafe is a very premium quality service providing privacy and identity protection for a user over various devices altogether. I am very sure that you would not be disappointed with its services at all.
5. Hitman Pro
The next choice for the best malware remover tool is Hitman Pro. Well, not to be confuse it with any game because this powerful tool is something which can dig deep in your system to immune it from within from all the malware outside.
However, it does not come for free and after the 30 days trial period ends you would have to buy it for $24.95 per year. Apart from Hitman Pro version, there is Hitman Pro Alert version too which can be subscribed for $34.95 per year.
Focusing on Hitman Pro, it provides features like detection of potential threats in real time and fix them, behavior based analysis for malware detection, rootkits accompanied, built-in security and traditional antivirus program, cloud storage/backup, blocking of re-infection attempts etc.
Once you have downloaded this program, it does not require a lengthy installation process and this lightweight 12MB program runs directly making it one of the fastest and best malware removal software in this list. The timely updates keep the program up with latest technology.
6. Panda Free Antivirus
Looking for one of the lightest and simplest program to protect your PC? You can end your search on this wonderful software called Panda Free Antivirus which is there to protect your system from malware for absolutely free. This is probably the best malware removal software in free to use category.
The interface is quite simple despite being free you get really impressive features along with it which basically includes and scan and fix technology.
You can also upgrade to advanced plan for $3.99 per month and to complete protection program for $7 per month. Now, talking about the features of this program then they are protection against malware and other dangerous files, smooth running throughout internet surfing and online gaming sessions, URL filtering, simple interface, powerful performance etc.
Automatic processing of Panda Free Antivirus allows you to just install it and forget it. Once the settings are done then it can perform even the complex configuration on its own.
7. Adaware Antivirus Free
Windows Malware Analysis Tools
Finally, there is a solution for your hunt of best free anti malware which performs smartly to figure out solutions for malware removal. Adaware offers this absolutely free package of anti-malware program which guarantees to safeguard your computer from harmful viruses and other infections.
Currently, its latest version is Antivirus 12 which is their best program yet. You would not even realize it but with background running, Adaware handles everything on your system without bothering any of your tasks.
You can also upgrade to better options by Adaware i.e. Adaware pro for $50 and Adaware total for $67 as one-time fee. Focusing on the features offered by this antimalware program then they are active and real time virus control, web protection, email protection, on-demand scanner, parental control etc.
I think Adaware makes one of the best malware removal software when it comes to web protection specifically. Even in the free version you get great network protection tool which aren't offered by other programs. And hence I think this malware protection program should definitely be tried out.
However, being an advanced protection, McAfee LiveSafe comes with a price too. After 30 days of trial, you would have to pay $99.99 per year for its use.
This price brings you a lot of features and services which you usually do not get in any other malware protection tools. These features are free customer support 24X7, award winning antivirus protection, password manager tool, support to multiple devices with a single license, secure cloud storage up to 1 GB.
McAfee LiveSafe is a very premium quality service providing privacy and identity protection for a user over various devices altogether. I am very sure that you would not be disappointed with its services at all.
5. Hitman Pro
The next choice for the best malware remover tool is Hitman Pro. Well, not to be confuse it with any game because this powerful tool is something which can dig deep in your system to immune it from within from all the malware outside.
However, it does not come for free and after the 30 days trial period ends you would have to buy it for $24.95 per year. Apart from Hitman Pro version, there is Hitman Pro Alert version too which can be subscribed for $34.95 per year.
Focusing on Hitman Pro, it provides features like detection of potential threats in real time and fix them, behavior based analysis for malware detection, rootkits accompanied, built-in security and traditional antivirus program, cloud storage/backup, blocking of re-infection attempts etc.
Once you have downloaded this program, it does not require a lengthy installation process and this lightweight 12MB program runs directly making it one of the fastest and best malware removal software in this list. The timely updates keep the program up with latest technology.
6. Panda Free Antivirus
Looking for one of the lightest and simplest program to protect your PC? You can end your search on this wonderful software called Panda Free Antivirus which is there to protect your system from malware for absolutely free. This is probably the best malware removal software in free to use category.
The interface is quite simple despite being free you get really impressive features along with it which basically includes and scan and fix technology.
You can also upgrade to advanced plan for $3.99 per month and to complete protection program for $7 per month. Now, talking about the features of this program then they are protection against malware and other dangerous files, smooth running throughout internet surfing and online gaming sessions, URL filtering, simple interface, powerful performance etc.
Automatic processing of Panda Free Antivirus allows you to just install it and forget it. Once the settings are done then it can perform even the complex configuration on its own.
7. Adaware Antivirus Free
Windows Malware Analysis Tools
Finally, there is a solution for your hunt of best free anti malware which performs smartly to figure out solutions for malware removal. Adaware offers this absolutely free package of anti-malware program which guarantees to safeguard your computer from harmful viruses and other infections.
Currently, its latest version is Antivirus 12 which is their best program yet. You would not even realize it but with background running, Adaware handles everything on your system without bothering any of your tasks.
You can also upgrade to better options by Adaware i.e. Adaware pro for $50 and Adaware total for $67 as one-time fee. Focusing on the features offered by this antimalware program then they are active and real time virus control, web protection, email protection, on-demand scanner, parental control etc.
I think Adaware makes one of the best malware removal software when it comes to web protection specifically. Even in the free version you get great network protection tool which aren't offered by other programs. And hence I think this malware protection program should definitely be tried out.
8. Kaspersky Internet Security
Kaspersky is a very big name when it comes to listing down best malware removal software. Offering some of the best services for protection and safeguarding your system from viruses and other malware, it also has a very smooth running giving much needed pace and speed to your system.
Kaspersky has various products to offer and I am listing down its most popular Internet Security version in this list which is going to cost you $79.99 per year for 3 devices.
Other programs are Anti Virus for $59.99 per year and total security for $99.99 per year. Now, talking about the features offered by this program then these are protection against virus, phishing, spyware, dangerous websites etc., simple set up, privacy protection, added security for transactions, parental control etc.
The internet security version not only make sure to work on ground issues of your PC but also focus on complete cyber protection too which is totally the demand of current times.
9. SUPERAntiSpyware
Used for home to professional and to enterprise/educational use, Super anti spyware is marking high on the list of best malware removal tool these days. Currently operating on its version 6.0, this anti-malware program is the simplest of all which can be download in its free edition too.
Apart from it, Super Anti Spyware offers professional level features with its pro version which charges $29.95 per PC per year.
This program works in real time and hence scan fixes every issues in the least time possible. Talking about the popular features offered by this malware protection program then these are real-time blocking, schedule scans, works against pop-ups and ads too, detailed scan logs and organized history, detect and remove spyware, adware, viruses, dialers, worms etc.
There are some interesting features too like system investigator and email notifications. It even repairs broken internet connections too and hence work amazingly as one of the best malware removal software and that too for free.
10. Symantec Norton Security Premium
And finally, we are on our last option as the best malware removal software which is none other than Norton security premium plan. Because of being a premium plan you would have to spend $109.99 per year to avail all the features and services of this program and it can be used for 10 devices.
Along with providing protection from malicious software and internet worms, Norton Security Premium plan also offers backup and family safety services too.
Other features which you can enjoy under this plan are real time protection and fast processing, alterts about malware before downloading them, all time customer support, protection against ransomware and viruses too, added security for private and financial information, kids control etc.
Norton is preferred the most because of its backup plan as it provides up to 25 GB of cloud backup which is way higher than any other anti-malware program ever. This backup is kept with security and you can also add password protection for it too.
Conclusion
Gladly, some of these best malware removal software comes with free plans too so you would not have to shell out much to keep your system clean. Make sure to go through their complete features and the stuffs offered along with them to ensure you are getting what you wanted to have.
Anti-virus and other relevant programs are a part of anti-malware programs only so choose wisely before investing that what you need the most. Although I could not mention but there are some equally popular programs too like Avast, Avira, Quick Heal etc. which can also be preferred for the same purpose.
Related Posts
Cloud malware analysis services
In this section, we're providing a list of cloud automated online malware analysis tools that are not available anymore due to the website being offline or the service being disrupted by the creators of the analysis environment.
- Aerie : https://aerie.cs.berkeley.edu
- CWSandbox : http://cwsandbox.org
- ThreatTrack : http://www.treattrack.com
- Malbox : http://malbox.xjtu.edu.cn
- VisualThreat : http://www.visualthreat.com
- XecScan : http://scan.xecure-lab.com
- Norman Sandbox : https://www.norman.com/analysis
Data Analysis Tool For Mac
Ethical Hacking Training – Resources (InfoSec)
Despite quite a few analysis tools being unavailable, there are still a lot of them being actively supported and developed. The online malware analysis tools that are still present on the Internet are presented below. Each of the tools has a letter written in square brackets, which is used later on to present each of the tools in a table in order to preserve space and provide clearer results. Each of the tools also has an URL address of where the service is available in case you want to submit different files for analysis.
- [A] Anubis : http://anubis.iseclab.org
- [C] Comodo : http://camas.comodo.com
- [D] Document Analyzer : http://www.document-analyzer.net
- [E] Eureka : http://eureka.cyber-ta.org
- [J] Joe Sandbox : http://www.joesecurity.org
- [M] Malwr : https://malwr.com/submission
- [MS] Mobile Sandbox : http://mobilesandbox.org
- [TE] Threat Expert : http://www.threatexpert.com/submit.aspx
- [TT] Threat Track : http://www.threattracksecurity.com/resources/sandbox-malware-analysis.aspx
- [V] Vicheck : https://www.vicheck.ca
- [X] Xandora : http://www.xandora.net/xangui
Note that there are other cloud malware analysis platforms, but we didn't take them info consideration in this article. Therefore, some of them are not presented and described below.
How To Do Malware Analysis
Supported file formats and document types
Since malware can be hidden in almost any file format or document type, malware analysis tools must provide support for such formats or document types in order to be able to detect the threat inside it. For example: if an attacker has hidden a malicious payload inside a PDF document, the malware analysis tool must have PDF support to be able to manipulate with PDF documents. If PDF support is not present, the dissection of PDF document will not be possible, and consequentially the tool will not be able to find malicious payload. If we look at the PDF document through the eyes of a malware analyst tool, the PDF document is just a set of random bytes.
The attackers mostly use the file formats, document types and other elements presented below for including malicious payloads. The majority of presented elements need no further introduction, since they are used in our every day lives, but we will still provide a brief explanation of each of them.
- exe: Windows PE executable files normally used for Windows executable programs.
- elf: Linux ELF executable files normally used for Linux executable programs.
- mach-o: MAC OS X Mach-O executable files normally used for Mac executable programs.
- apk: Android APK executable files
- url: URLs
- pdf: PDF documents
- doc/docx: DOC/DOCX documents
- ppt/pptx: PPT/PPTX documents
- xsl/xsls: XSL/XSLS documents
- htm/html: HTM/HTML web pages
- jar: JAR Java executable files
- rtf: RTF documents
- dll: DLL libraries
- db: DB database files
- png/jpg: PNG/JPG images
- zip/rar: ZIP/RAR archived
- cpl: Control Panel Applets
- ie: Analyze Internet Explorer process when opening an URL
- ps1: Powershell scripts
- python : Python scripts
- vbs: VBScript files
The table below presents supported file formats and document types of each cloud automated malware analysis service. The rows represent file formats or document types, while the columns are used for each of the automated malware analysis tools presented by one or two letters (as presented before). The ✔is used to denote that certain file format or document type is supported by an automated malware analysis service, while an empty cell indicates otherwise. The * is used to mark that the support for document type is being implemented, but not yet available, at the time of this writing.
Table 1: supported document types by different malware analysis tools
| Document Type | A | C | D | E | J | M | MS | TE | TT | V | X |
| exe | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| elf | * | ||||||||||
| mach-o | ✔ | ||||||||||
| apk | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| url | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| doc/docx | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||
| ppt/pptx | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| xsl/xsls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||
| rtf | ✔ | ||||||||||
| htm/html | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||
| jar | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||
| dll | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||
| db | ✔ | ||||||||||
| png/jpg | ✔ | ||||||||||
| zip/rar | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||
| cpl | ✔ | ||||||||||
| ie | ✔ | ||||||||||
| ps1 | ✔ | ||||||||||
| python | ✔ | ||||||||||
| vbs | ✔ |
I've spent quite some time putting together the table above, which summarized the supported file formats, document types and other kind of elements that can be analyzed in automated fashion. From the table, we can quickly determine that there isn't a service that can be used to analyze any kind of file, which is because the malicious code is included in files and documents in a profoundly different manner. When adding a malicious code in executable file, we can do so by including malicious assembly instructions in its .text file section – and that is only one of the ways of doing it. On the other hand, when including a malicious code in a .docx document, we usually include it in a form of a malicious macro, which will get executed by Microsoft Word upon opening the document.
Below we've presented different categories of categorizing the file formats, document types and other elements presented in the table above. In each of the categories we'll also briefly discuss how the malicious code gets executed and what is needed for cloud automated malware analysis of such code.
- Executable Files [exe, elf, mach-o, apk, dll]: a malicious executable file is distributed around the Internet, which is downloaded by users in the form of cracked software programs and cracked games. The users download a program believing to be something they want, which it is, but an additional code is usually appended to the file containing a malicious payload that gets executed on the user's computer and therefore infecting it.
- Documents [pdf, doc/docx, ppt/pptx, xsl/xsls, rtf]: vulnerabilities are discovered in different software programs on a daily basis. Therefore, if an attackers finds a vulnerability in an Acrobat Reader (supports pdf file format), Microsoft Word/OpenOffice (supports doc/docx, ppt/pptx, xsl/xslx, rtf), it can form such a document that the program won't be able to process the file, but will crash instead. Depending on the type of vulnerability, an attacker can possibly execute a malicious payload included in the document.
- Web browser [url, htm/html, jar, ie]: web browsers also contain vulnerabilities as PDF Reader and Office Suite do. Therefore, an attacker can create a malicious website the web browser will not able to handle, which will lead to the web browser crashing, during which an attacker can execute arbitrary code.
- Archives [zip/rar]: archives can be used to distribute malicious files around the Internet. If a malicious file is put inside a password protected archive, the usual analysis solutions won't be able to take a look inside the archive and determine whether it contains malicious files.
- Images [png/jpg]: an attacker can hide a malicious payload inside an image, which can be processed by a vulnerable web application running on an incorrectly setup web server. Therefore, an analysis solution should be able to parse various image file formats in order to parse images to determine whether they contain anything out of the ordinary, like a malicious payload.
- Code (python, vbs, ps1) : an attacker can also distribute malicious code written in appropriate programming/scripting language, which is later processed by some application on the victim's machine. An example of such is PowerShell (ps1) macro included in a Word document, which gets executed on a user's request when allowing the execution of macros upon opening a malicious .docx document in Microsoft Word.
Techniques for Detecting Automated Environments
Open Source Malware Analysis Tools
Various techniques exist for detecting automated malware analysis environments, which are being incorporated in malware samples. When malware binaries are using different checks to determine whether they are executing in a controlled environment, they usually don't execute malicious actions upon environment detection.
The picture below presents an overview of malware and techniques it can use to detect if it's being executed in an automated environment. In order to make the picture clearer, we'll describe the process in detail.
Once the malware has infected the system, it can be running in user or kernel-mode, depending upon the exploitation techniques. Usually malware is running in user-mode, but there are multiple techniques for malware to gain additional privileges to execute in kernel-mode. Despite malware being executed in either user or kernel-mode, there are multiple techniques malware can use to detect if it's being executed in automated malware analysis environment. At the highest level, the techniques are divided into the following categories:
- Detect a Debugger: debuggers are mostly used when a malware analyst is manually inspecting a malware sample in order to gain understanding of what it does. Debuggers are not frequently used in automated malware analysis, but different techniques can still be incorporated into the malware sample to make debugging the malware sample more difficult.
- Anti-Disassembly Tricks: this category isn't directly related to automated malware analysis environments, but when an analyst is manually reviewing the malware sample in a debugger, malware can use different techniques to confuse disassembly engines into producing incorrect disassembled code. This is only useful when a malware analyst is analyzing the malware sample manually, but doesn't have much impact in automated malware analysis environments.
- Detect a Sandbox Environment: a sandbox is an environment separate from the main operating system where malware samples can be run without causing any harm to the rest of the system. The primary purpose of sandbox environment is to emulate different parts of the system, or the whole system to separate the guest system from the host system. Depending on the virtualization layer, there are different types of sandboxes, which are presented below.
- Virtualized Programs: Chromium Sandbox, Sandboxie
- Linux Containers: LXC, Docker
- Virtualized Environment: VirtualPC, VMware, VirtualBox, QEMU
Quick Analysis Tool For Mac
Each automated malware analysis tool uses different backend systems to run the malware in a controlled environment. Malware can be run in physical machines or virtual machines. Note that old unused physical machines lying around at home would be a perfect candidate for setting up a malware analysis lab, which would make it considerably more difficult for malware binaries to determine whether they are being executed in a controlled environment. When building our own malware analysis lab, we have to connect multiple machines together to form a network, which can be done simply by virtual or physical switch, depending on the type of machines used.
Each cloud automated malware analysis services uses some kind of virtualization environment to run their malware samples, like Qemu/KVM, VirtualBox, VMWare, etc. According to the virtualization technology being used, a malware sample can use different techniques to detect that it's being analyzed and terminate immediately. Thus the malware sample will not be flagged as malicious, since it terminated preemptively without execution the malicious code.
In this section we've seen that different cloud malware analysis services use different virtualization technologies to run submitted malware samples. As far as I know, only Joe Sandbox has an option of running malware samples on actual physical machines, which prevents certain techniques from being used in malware samples to detect if they are being run in an automated malware analysis environment. Still, there are many other techniques a malware can use to detect if it's being analyzed.
This is a cat and mouse game, where new detection techniques are invented and used by malware samples on a daily basis. On the other hand, there are numerous anti-detection techniques used to prevent the malware from determining it's being executed in an automated malware analysis environment. When a new detection technique appears, usually a new anti-detection technique is put together to render the detection technique useless.
Conclusion
In this article we've presented the differences between multiple cloud malware analysis services that can be used to analyze different file formats and document types. Each service supports only a fraction of all file formats and document types in which malicious code can be injected. Therefore, depending on the file we have to analyze, we can use the services that support its corresponding file format or document type.
In order to analyze a document, we have to choose the appropriate service in order to do so. Since there are many techniques an attacker can use to determine whether the malicious payload is being executed in an automated malware analysis environment, some malicious samples won't be analyzed correctly, resulting in false positives. Therefore, such services should only be used together with a reverse engineer or malware analyst in order to manually determine whether the file is malicious or not. Since there are many malicious samples distributed around the Internet on a daily basis, every sample cannot be manually inspected, which is why cloud automated malware analysis services are a great way to speed up the analysis.
