A malware threat is not something you’d like to encounter in your computer system. Its menace can be very damaging to your company’s network and infrastructure. The best malware removal software should be able to identify and remove common malware, like trojans, worms, viruses, adware and spyware, from your resources and devices.
In this article, I have researched and compiled the best six malware removal software providers in 2024, including their unique solutions and how you can select the best provider for your business.
While many features — such as threat detection, threat hunting, real-time scanning and ransomware protection — are consistent across various malware removal software solutions, there are key differences that set vendors apart. The table below compares some features and prices of the top malware removal software providers in 2024.
| Starting price | VPN option | OS Compatibility | Firewall protection | Free version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender | $14.99 for the first year (1 account) | Yes | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Norton | $19.99 for the first year (1 device) | Yes | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | No |
| Malwarebytes | $44.99 per year | Yes | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS | No | Yes |
| TotalAV | $29.99 for the first year | Yes | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS | No | Yes |
| McAfee | $29.99 per year (1 device) | Yes | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome OS | Yes | Yes |
| Aura | $120 per year (unlimited devices) | Yes | Windows, macOS, Android | No | Yes |
| Pros | Cons |
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Norton is one of the few malware removal software providers that uses machine learning and heuristic scanning to detect and remove malware from computer devices. The software uses three scanning features for detecting malware — quick, full and custom.
SEE: 9 Best Antivirus Software for Businesses in 2024 (TechRepublic)
One thing I don’t like about Norton is its user interface. Each feature’s settings tab opens in a new tab, and this can be very confusing to new users. While Norton doesn’t offer a free version, its 60-day money-back guarantee means you won’t lose your money if you subscribe and aren’t satisfied.
The provider’s suite of features is what got my attention in the first place. Aside from the Norton Mobile Security for Android plan, all other Norton360 subscriptions have a variety of security features, including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protections.
For more information, read our full Norton review.
Norton has five pricing categories — Norton Mobile Security for Android, Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton360 Standard, Norton360 Deluxe and Norton360 with LifeLock Select.
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While Malwarebytes falls short on some essential modern security features like firewall protection and breach monitoring, it still has a high success rate in detecting malware. Malwarebytes primarily focuses on malware removal after the system is infected and can scan for malware in three modes — Quick scan, Custom scan and Threat scan. Its special features like Browser Guard can block ads, scams and trackers with minimal system resources and no effect on CPU usage.
SEE: 10 Best SIEM Tools for 2024 (TechRepublic)
Malwarebytes had a minimal impact on my system’s performance when I assessed its offerings. While the free version lacks real-time protection, it does have some good records in eliminating persistent malware. It also offers anti-ransomware, anti-spyware, antivirus and anti-malware solutions with a friendly interface.
Malwarebytes has plans for personal and team use. It also has a 14-day free trial to enjoy some premium features.
Personal category has three plans:
Team category
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TotalAV Antivirus Pro is very affordable in the first year, though it gets a little bit costlier in subsequent years. The software has some good scores in the last AV-TEST evaluated in April, scoring 5.5 out of 6 in performance and protection and then 6 in usability. Like most antivirus services, TotalAV employs four main types of virus scans — Quick Scan, System Scan, Smart Scan and Custom Scan. While TotalAV may have some impact when launching some popular websites, installing apps and copying files, it’s on par with or better than industry averages.
SEE: 8 Best Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solutions in 2024 (TechRepublic)
TotalAV has an affordable monthly plan for the Antivirus Pro package, which costs $1.99 per month for the first year. The software also has less impact on device resources than most of its competitors, and this means you won’t have to worry about the battery life of your devices during scanning.
Total AV splits its services into three main product categories. All the tiers offer the antivirus features you need to keep your devices safe from malware threats.
TotalAV has a free version, but that only includes a virus scanner and no real-time protection.
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McAfee Total Protection is a good software option to start with if you don’t yet have any antivirus solution for your business. Smaller businesses and startups can find the tool beneficial for its real-time malware protection across multiple devices. The software consistently scored 100% in the last seven evaluations by the AV-TEST; however, the antivirus works significantly better only when the browser extension is installed. McAfee users have two scanning options — Quick and Complete. I found Quick scanning somehow tardy and doesn’t do much as it only scans system directories that are most likely infected.
I chose McAfee for its wide availability on many consumer laptops and machines today. Since many PC and computer packages come pre-installed with McAfee, it serves as a decent gateway solution for business owners or employees who are only starting to care about cybersecurity.
McAfee Total Protection has three main plans and two additional plans.
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Aura is best known for its strong approach to identity theft, especially for U.S. users. Just like many modern antivirus software choices, Aura uses AI-powered safe browsing to block dangerous sites and remove malware from devices. Aura prioritizes malware removal in its threat elimination approach by offering anti-ransomware, anti-spyware, anti-worms, anti-trojans and anti-rootkits solutions to its users. Users can run real-time and manual scans that run in the background or choose among Full, Quick or Custom scanning options. While the software has excellent malware removal capability, its annual price is relatively high compared to other providers that have firewall and performance optimization tools.
Aura takes identity theft protection very seriously, and that is reflected in its huge identity theft insurance package for its subscribers.
Aside from the Kids plan, which costs $10 per month, Aura offers three other main pricing plans for identity and fraud protection, which all include a 14-day free trial.
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Choosing the best malware removal software for your business depends on many factors, including compatibility and integration, costs and needs, ease of use and scalability. I suggest you choose a provider compatible with all operating systems and applications used by your organization. Also consider the size of your business, the number of devices you need to protect and the level of protection required to arrive at a healthy balance between your business security needs and your budgets. Another factor is to make sure the provider you chose has ease of use, specifically those with automated updates and centralized management, so it wouldn’t disrupt your business operations.
In this review, I prioritized security features, evaluating each provider’s current malware and cyberthreat protection capabilities. User-friendliness and interface design were also key factors, as was pricing structure. Some of them have attractive first-year deals, like those offered by TotalAV but can jump significantly in price upon renewal.
SEE: Grandoreiro Malware Targets More Than 1,500 Banks (TechRepublic)
To further assess performance, I analyzed recent evaluations from AV-TEST, a respected security testing organization. Many providers scored impressively, achieving between 5.5 and 6 points out of 6 in performance, protection and usability. This comprehensive approach ensures the security providers included in this guide deliver a well-balanced package that prioritizes your protection, ease of use and affordability.
