Top malware tools

The good news is that all the malware analysis tools I use are completely free and open source. In this article, I cover my top 11 favorite malware analysis tools in no particular order and what they are used for:.

Before running the malware to monitor its behavior, my first step is to perform some static analysis of the malware. Once I have pulled out as much information as I can from my static tools and techniques, I then detonate the malware in a virtual machine specially built for running and analyzing malware.

While the malware is running I use a number of tools to record its activity, this is known as dynamic analysis. When dynamically analyzing a sample I look for any unique characteristics that I can attribute to this piece of malware.

This may include looking for files created, changes to the registry which may be indicative of the malware building some persistence. My first port of call for analyzing a Windows executable is always PeStudio. This is an excellent tool for conducting an initial triage of a malware sample and allows me to quickly pull out any suspicious artifacts.

Once a binary has been loaded it will quickly provide the user with hashes of the malware and any detections found in VirusTotal. A list of strings is also pulled however if the sample is packed this may not return any strong IOCs, unpacking the sample, and then reviewing the strings will often provide useful information such as malicious domains and IP addresses.

This helps identify whether the malware is packed or not. When a sample is packed this means the malware author has effectively put a layer of code around the malware in order to obfuscate its true functionality and prevent analysis of the malware. To assist with identifying packed malware PeStudio displays the level of entropy of the file. Entropy is measured on a scale of , with 8 being the highest level of entropy. The higher the entropy the more likely that a piece of malware is packed.

For example, Windows contains various libraries called DLLs, this stands for dynamic link library. Each library contains a unique set of functions known as Windows APIs, these are used by legitimate programs to perform various functions.

For example, the DLL Kerner ComboFix is just as spartan as the screenshot here makes it look. You download ComboFix, run it, and it takes care of the rest. When it's done, ComboFix spits out a log file and lists all the malware it found, which ones it was able to remove, and which ones you'll have to use your Google-fu to look up how to remove manually. It isn't fancy, but it gets the job done and gives you a detailed report at the end to take to security forums for help if you need it.

Malwarebytes' flagship application Anti-Malware is a shareware malware-removal tool. The principle difference between the free and premium version of the application is real-time monitoring. If you don't need active scanning against threats, the free version uses the same database and does an admirable job ferreting out infections. Anti-Malware was, for example, one of the few malware removal tools that could detect and remove the Antivirus XP , a spyware application that masqueraded as an antivirus app.

HijackThis stands alone in this Hive Five as being the least automated yet most likely to completely wreck your system if used incorrectly. HijackThis does a comprehensive scan of the state of your computer and reports back an enormous log file. That said, there were a few that were excellent. I ultimately found 5 strong anti-malware products that can find and remove all cybersecurity threats — viruses, ransomware, spyware, keyloggers, rootkits, and all other malware. The programs here secure devices through a variety of different processes, like machine learning artificial intelligence , real-time virus protection, and full-disk scans.

I researched, tested, and compared the top malware removal products based on usability, price, additional features, and how much security they provide against all types of malware infections.

Norton is the best malware removal program on the market — it uses advanced machine learning, heuristic scanning, and a massive malware database to detect and remove even the most sophisticated malware. Norton Standard only offers protection for 1 device.

Norton Deluxe adds up to 5 devices, 50 GB of cloud storage, and parental controls. Norton comes with a day money-back guarantee. Download Norton Now. Bitdefender also has more additional features than most other antivirus software — making it one of the top internet security suites of In addition to standard features like a firewall and web protection, Bitdefender also has advanced tools like ransomware protection and remediation, USB scanning, a secure browser for online finances, and lots more.

Bitdefender offers 3 different antivirus plans — the 2 lower-tier plans, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and Bitdefender Internet Security , are only available for PCs. Users looking for multi-device protection across all operating systems have to upgrade to Bitdefender Total Security. Bitdefender provides an excellent suite of anti-malware tools — but Mac users and users looking for mobile protection will have to upgrade to the most expensive plan to get coverage for Mac, Android, and iOS.

Download Bitdefender Now. However, I noticed my system lagging a bit after I downloaded McAfee. But McAfee comes with a wide range of well-designed features that make up for this slowdown.

The built-in Backup and Sync functionality provides up to 25GB of online storage where you can store various files including images and videos. Backup and Sync is encrypted so you can rest easy knowing your files are safe online. The customer support for Webroot is plenty. The knowledge base is full of useful documentation that talks about the various features in a how-to format and is generally useful.

There are also community forums where you can ask your questions and get answers. Go for it if you want a lightweight tool that does what it says. This is basically a suite of antivirus tools from F-Secure that brings a ton of features to the mix.

F-Secure brings an antivirus software, along with banking protection so you can safely shop online. There are also family safety tools included with the software. Plus, you get a device finder so you can easily locate your Android and iPhone devices without a hassle. Though F-Secure is usually rated quite highly for protection features, the software does tend to throw out plenty of false positives as well, which can be a little annoying.

Pros: Lightweight Easy to use UI Suite of antivirus and device management tools Cons: Pricier than most options Frequent false-positives Verdict: Though F-Secure SAFE is a pricier offering, the host of features it offers, along with the easy to use interface, make it a viable option to protect your online life.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android. This antivirus software brings anti-spam features along with all the other features on offer. Trend Micro has received solid ratings overall in terms of accuracy, which means you can rest assured that the software will identify most virus and ransomware accurately.

What exactly is Malware? Malicious Software Malware is an umbrella word for various types of viruses, trojans and other harmful programs nefarious people use to invade systems and cause damage. The damage can range from a simple worm that is annoying in nature to Ransomware that locks your files until you pay up. Malware is of various types but most anti-malware software cover against them all.

While all malware is dangerous, Ransomware has definitely been on the top of the list for some time now. Ransomware locks your personal files and then demands money in exchange for their release.

Ransomware not only affects everyday users but even business that end up losing millions because of this. Other types of Malware include:. Malicious software Malware is an umbrella term for various types of computer programs that are designed to harm and exploit a number of devices. These devices can range from smartphones and computers to servers that host websites. A Virus is just a type of malware that self-replicates itself and harms the system. Viruses are one of the oldest types of malware.

Since viruses also fall under malware, anti-virus companies initially marketed themselves as virus removal services. An anti-virus focuses on fighting more traditional type of viruses. However, anti-malware software fights the newer evolving malware that is more deadly in nature. Most anti-viruses these days though also have built-in anti-malware features that perform the same functions.

Newer intelligent Malware will do its best to slip through the cracks in your computer. However, there are some telltale signs that your system might be infected. You will find software installed that you never consented to. Windows Defender might be disabled without warning. Alternatively, you can always run a malware scan and find out. Yes, it can. Users with malicious purposes often attach malware as an email attachment and send them in emails that might seem enticing lottery, free offers etc.

While services like Gmail and Live do their best to scan files, always make sure you have a malware removal tool installed so it can block them before they start working.

A factory reset will essentially delete all the files and reset settings on your computer. However, it is not guaranteed that all the malware will be erased. While traditional malware that is old might be removed, newer malware is more resistant and might still end up staying. So, before you go deleting everything on your PC, try getting rid of the malware using the above list.