The Best Anti-Malware Software 2024
McAfee offers the best anti-malware tools, Bitdefender is best for Windows, and Norton is best for unique features.
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Last updated Sep 12, 2024
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Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Best for Windows
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Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Bitdefender's website
Bitdefender
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Slow scans compared to other options
Slow scans compared to other options
View More
Best for Unique Features
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View More
During our testing process, we discovered that McAfee Total Protection is good for compatibility with various operating systems and devices, offering features that work on Windows, macOS, and iOS. Bitdefender Total Security is best for Windows users, while Norton 360 is another great option for the unique features it offers.
It is estimated that millions of computers within the United States have been infected with malware or viruses, which potentially gives hackers a gateway to using your personal data.[1] Anti-malware software can prevent and remedy malicious viruses and other malware threats. We've researched the best malware removal services and have included our top three picks in this article for you.
In this article
The best anti-malware software for 2024McAfee Total Protection: Best overall
Bitdefender: Best for Windows
Norton 360 Antivirus: Best for unique features
Antivirus programs that didn’t make the cut
Best antivirus for malware removal FAQs
Bottom line: The best anti-malware programs
The best anti-malware software for 2024
- McAfee Total Protection: Best overall
- Bitdefender Total Security: Best for Windows
- Norton 360 Antivirus: Best for unique features
Top 3 antivirus products for malware removal compared
| Antivirus |  Best Overall
|
 |
 |
| Star rating | |||
| Starting price | $24.99/first year | $39.99/first year | $19.99/first year |
| Max number of protected devices | Unlimited | 10 | 10 |
| EICAR test results | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Manual | Manual and scheduled |
| Real-time protection | |||
| Firewall | |||
| Phishing protection | |||
| Ransomware protection | |||
| 24/7 customer support | |||
| Extras | Anti-fraud protection, VPN, and other bonus features | Parental controls, performance optimization, VPN, and more | SafeCam, parental controls, password manager, VPN, identity theft protection, and more |
| Compatibility | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, ChromeOS | Windows Internet Security: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | See McAfee Pricing | See Bitdefender Pricing | See Norton 360 Pricing |
How we tested the best malware removal software
Before we selected our top six recommendations and narrowed that down to our top three best malware removal software, we reviewed the most recent performance results from AV-TEST. If a malware removal software received a top score of 6 out of 6, an outstanding score for malware removal and CPU functionality, we then took an in-depth look at the features of each platform.
Some of the most important features we looked for were:
- Scanning: Ideally, your software should have manual and automatic scanning features, as it is human nature to forget to consistently run scans.
- Malware detection: Per the AV-TEST, online reviews, and our own experience, how well did the software do at detecting and remedying viruses?
- CPU performance: If our device dramatically slowed down during testing, we know that it may not be the best antivirus protection software.
- Features and pricing: We want the most for our money and know you do as well. If the website stated it had a certain feature, we tried to test it on multiple operating systems to ensure it worked. If you can't use all the features promised on the website, it's likely not worth the cost.
McAfee Total Protection: Best overall
Who it’s best for
McAfee
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Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
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Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
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Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
McAfee Total Protection is the best anti-malware tool for individuals who do not want to sacrifice features based on what operating system they are using. During our testing process, we discovered that many competitors claimed features on their websites that were not actually compatible with the Mac operating system.
McAfee’s offering is compatible with Windows, macOS, and iOS. It's also functional with Android devices. Furthermore, it works seamlessly with Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge browsers. At a starting price of $24.99 per month for one device, you can rest assured that your preferred operating system, browser, and device may receive all of the features that are being advertised and that you're paying for.
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What we liked
We loved that the full scan of our system on over 400,000 files took less than 10 minutes, and we noticed that McAfee gave us the option to specify which files we wanted to be scanned if we needed to save time. The Total Virus Protection package ran phishing security, firewall protection, and real-time scanning protection in the background for us, which were safeguards we didn’t have to initiate or monitor. In addition to these basic features, we appreciated the WebAdvisor feature, which blocks ransomware attacks and protects against harmful websites.
Moreover, we had no issues with our device slowing down during the scanning process, which is common with both paid and free malware removal software. Having the green checkmark light up on our main dashboard made us feel secure that the software was on and working while we were connected to the internet.
What we didn’t like
The renewal price for McAfee Total Virus Protection seems to be twice as high as the original cost to get started with the platform. We noticed that multiple customers had commented on this issue on the McAfee website, with customers hoping that they could stay in the same cost bracket as first-year users.
Additionally, there are pop-ups from McAfee for both legitimate notifications and informative updates, but we found some of them to be annoying versus helpful.
Test results
When we test McAfee we also look at test results from other independent antivirus testers. This gives us a better idea of how the antivirus copes with malware detection and prevention. We looked at test scores from AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs.
| McAfee | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | N/A |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.8% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get McAfee |
Bitdefender: Best for Windows
Bitdefender
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Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
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Simple yet powerful interface tools
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Perfect protection score in third-party tests
- Slow scans compared to other options
With a 74% global market share within the realm of operating systems, software functionality for Windows matters to many customers like you.[2] Bitdefender antivirus is truly the best total virus protection package for Windows that values consumer privacy, offers broad protection and bonus features, and does so without causing a lag in your personal computer’s overall performance.
If Bitdefender delivered the full functionality to macOS and iOS users as it did to Windows users, it would have been ranked the top choice for the best malware removal due to its robust features and privacy measures.
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What we liked
Although our full scan took a bit longer to complete, we liked that we had the option to do a quick scan instead or choose files we could scan. We thought it was impressive that they insisted on doing a full scan right after setup to establish a safe environment for the software moving forward.
Bitdefender offers a “rescue environment” for Windows where they will permit you to reboot your device in “rescue mode.” This mode allows the software to locate and neutralize any threats that could be hiding among legitimate-looking files.
Along with protection against phishing and ransomware, a firewall, and real-time scanning protection, Bitdefender also incorporates a Network Attack Defense module, which can detect network attacks like bots and trojans by analyzing incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Bonus features also include:
- Parental controls: This monitors your children’s safety remotely from Bitdefender Central Hub.
- File Shredder: This permanently deletes files.
- Vulnerability assessment: An additional scan to look for PC vulnerabilities.
- Premium VPN: This VPN grants you online anonymity by encrypting all incoming and outgoing traffic on your device.
We also liked that Bitdefender’s headquarters are in Romania, as neither the malware nor VPN components are subject to the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes Alliances. These alliances allow certain countries to collect and exchange their citizens’ data as a component of their national security.
What we didn’t like
There were multiple features advertised as part of a full package, but some of these features were not accessible to Apple users on iOS or macOS. There is no price differentiation for different operating systems, so you're getting less functionality but paying the same price as a Windows user.
Customizing your settings can be a bit confusing as a new user because you may have to go back and forth between the Bitdefender Central Hub and the antivirus application that is always running in the background.
Test results
To get an accurate view of Bitdefender's malware detection abilities, we checked the scores from other independent antivirus testers. We checked scores from AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs.
| Bitdefender | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.92% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender |
Norton 360 Antivirus: Best for unique features
Who it’s best for
Norton 360 Antivirus
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4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
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Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
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Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
Norton Antivirus first emerged in 1991 as the original antivirus software. The company has kept its foresight on emergent internet and privacy issues as time has gone on. Now, they are partnered with LifeLock identity theft protection, offering an extra layer of safety to your personal protection plan.
If you want flexibility with pricing and features, Norton 360 has four separate price tiers for you. Maybe you just want a simple antivirus option for $19.99 per year and don’t want to pay for any extra features. Or maybe you've expanded your family and need parental controls or LifeLock identity theft protection. Regardless of your situation, it seems that Norton has unique features that can help keep you safe while you are roaming the internet.
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What we liked
We felt safe utilizing Norton’s virus protection, knowing that it is using emerging technology like machine learning to learn, remember, and scan which malware needed to be removed from our device. With machine learning, Norton’s artificial intelligence (AI) will keep learning about new threats over time. As viruses change and multiply, Norton’s technology will keep running in the background of your device and monitoring threats.
Norton also uses AI to classify its interactions with internet applications based on their behavior, blocking applications that act suspiciously automatically for you. We also appreciated Norton's quick scanning of over 600,000 of our files within 10 minutes during our testing.
Norton comes with phishing protection and a smart firewall that prevents online threats before they reach your PC. Norton’s other unique features include:
- SafeCam: You will be alerted if someone is attempting to access your webcam.
- Parental controls: This feature allows you to review your child’s online activities, including searches and video history.
- Password manager: This service manages your unique passwords in one safe location.
- Norton VPN: Its VPN encrypts your personal data on the internet.
- Dark web monitoring: You can receive a notice if your information is found on the dark web.
- Cloud Backup: This allows you to create a backup for only the files you choose in the cloud.
- LifeLock: This program will monitor the web for your personal information and assign a specialist to you to resolve any identity theft problems. Up to $1 million in coverage is available to assist you in restoring your identity.
What we didn’t like
After our Norton 360 download and initial scan were completed, our screen showed a prompt that the scan was finished as well as the number of files involved in the scan. There wasn’t a way to review the files in detail, however, because the prompt disappeared.
Additionally, the macOS version was lighter on features compared to the Windows version. For example, it was missing the proactive exploit protection feature.
Test results
To see if Norton 360 is really as good as it claims, we also looked at test results from other independent testers. This gave us a better idea of how well Norton detects malware. We checked with AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs.
| Norton 360 | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.97% |
| SE Labs results | 99% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Norton 360 |
Antivirus programs that didn’t make the cut
Before testing our top three choices for malware protection, we reviewed the most recent performance results from AV-TEST, a reputable research institute for IT security. If the software received a top score of 6 out of 6 for both blocking malware and also not slowing down our device, the antivirus program was considered for a top ranking.
Although our experiences were overall positive with Malwarebytes, Kaspersky, and Avira, a few factors determined why they didn’t make the cut.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes offers a free plan that supports one device and allows for manual scanning, so it is a nice introduction to the basics of an antivirus tool. With other versions of the platform, scanning was fast and we could schedule scans on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.
As of the latest AV-TEST data from December 2022, Malwarebytes scored 5.5 out of 6 on their total protection score versus a perfect 6 like our top-three best malware removal platforms. We also found it a bit concerning that regardless of the three-plan pricing tiers, there was no firewall option available at any price point. It also seemed to be lacking in “bonus” features like a password manager, performance optimization tools, and a file shredder.
Kaspersky Antivirus
Kaspersky scored a perfect 6 out of 6 on the most recent AV-TEST run, and we found that it was an affordable solution that was easy to use and had nice reporting data. During our testing, the real-time protection features blocked sites that were full of cookies. It includes some interesting bonus features, such as Safe Money, a feature that safeguards your online banking or shopping transactions, and a URL advisor extension to check for phishing and malicious websites.
Although the company is outside of the Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes Alliances since it is headquartered in Russia, some worrying data prompts from our most recent Kaspersky review combined with the current geopolitical climate are concerns we had about how secure our data privacy really is with this company.
Avira Antivirus
For the more sophisticated user who wants premium features, Avira is a good platform. Some premium features include premium customer support, a Windows startup optimizer, PC cleaning and speed optimization, and more. It also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee while you try out these advanced offerings.
One major disappointment was that there is no firewall for Mac. At a higher price point, we thought it would have features compatible with all devices.
FAQs
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Are there free malware removal tools available?
Malwarebytes, Avira, and Kaspersky all have free plans that scan and remove malware viruses. Norton 360 has a standalone product, Power Eraser, that removes malware from your device. This free product is solely for Windows.
+
How do I remove viruses from iPhones?
If you feel your iPhone has been infected with a virus, McAfee has some great tips on how to remove them and protect yourself further. To be proactive, it's helpful to have virus protection on your phone before you surf the web.
+
What is the best way to remove malware from my computer?
The best way to ensure all malware is removed from your device is to download a trusted antivirus program with a malware scanner, run a full scan, fix the issues, and restart your device.
Bottom line: The best anti-malware programs
Overall, McAfee offers better compatibility with multiple operating systems, including iOS and macOS. If you're using a standard Windows program, then Bitdefender and Norton 360 are great security options with many features.
You really have to think about your operating system and device before purchasing a malware removal program, as not every feature listed on a vendor’s website is available to various operating systems.
The best antivirus software for malware removal 2024
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
|
$24.99/first year | Best overall | See McAfee Pricing |
|
$39.99/first year | Best for Windows | See Bitdefender Pricing |
|
$19.99/first year | Best for unique features | See Norton 360 Pricing |
McAfee
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Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
-
Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
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Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
Author Details
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Robin Moore is a freelance writer and editor specializing in blockchain technology, including wallet
security and data privacy. She is the current Managing Editor for Watcher.Guru, a startup blockchain
and finance news publication with 1.7 million followers on Twitter. Robin has also been the lead
content editor with Genfinity.IO, another startup blockchain research publication. Before entering the
Web3 space, she was a business analyst within the oil and gas industry.
When she is not offering advice on the best ways to protect data privacy, she is hiking, doing yoga, or
networking with her Web3 family on crypto-Twitter.
Citations
[1] Protect Your Computer from Malware
[2] Global market share held by operating systems for desktop PCs, from January 2013 to January 2023
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