You do not have to be a computer expert to know that, in the recent years, the number of online attacks has undoubtedly increased. Cyber criminals are using newer and more complicated ways to infect computers with malign threats and to ensure that these threats stay undetected for as long as possible. In order to stop online parasites from gaining access to your device, you need to make sure that it stays protected at all times. 
Staying careful online by avoiding unreliable websites and links, downloading software and files only from trustworthy sources, and thinking twice before opening any attachments are all solid tips you should follow, however, the most important advice we can give you is to invest in a reputable anti-malware utility. Multi-layered protection is always the best way to go as free security tools cannot guarantee full protection from all online threats.
Choosing one anti-malware application when so many are available can be a difficult task. This article is here to help you make an informed choice by taking a look at the best malware prevention and removal software of 2021.
Kaspersky Internet Security
- Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Mac OS X/iOS/Android
- 30-day free trial available
- Price: $59.95-$89.99 (1-year subscription)
Kaspersky Internet Security has been known as one of the best malware removal tools for some time now. It has a high malware detection rate and multiple beneficial features including anti-phishing, Safe Money, real-time online protection, and more.
The anti-phishing feature aims to protect your privacy and identity while you browse the Internet by stopping suspicious data tracking. Combined with real-time online protection, which detects and warns you about unreliable websites, and the Safe Money feature, which adds another layer of protection when you access your bank account or shop online, the security suite raises your online security level to the maximum.
In addition to that, there are several special Kaspersky Internet Security features: it can prevent third-parties from accessing your microphone, allow you to customize which sites your children can open, help you terminate viruses when you cannot restart your device (Rescue Disk), and more.
Kaspersky Internet Security has different subscription plans that vary in price depending on the number of devices you wish to protect and the number of features you need.
Symantec Norton Security
- Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Mac OS X/iOS/Android
- 30-day free trial available
- Price: $39.99-$299.99 (1-year subscription)
Symantec Norton Security is a security tool that can detect, block and remove a variety of infections ranging from potentially unwanted apps to malware and ransomware. It was awarded with the Best Protection (for Norton Security) and the Innovation award (for Norton Mobile Security) in 2015.
Norton can present you with online protection in real time and shield you from various attacks when you enter your financial and personal details online while shopping or online banking. It also provides parental safety features that allow you to block certain websites thus protecting your children from unwanted data.
Norton malware database is regularly updated, which makes detecting even the newest threats possible. It can find the most complex parasites and eliminate them without any difficulty. In case something does not go according to plan, computer experts are there to help: technical support is available 24 hours a day.
Special Norton features include Norton’s cloud, which allows you to store 25GB of your data in the secure cloud storage, and an in-built password manager.
The price of the security suite varies depending on the number of devices, the type of subscription (monthly or annual), and the version of the utility.
Malwarebytes
- Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Mac/Android
- Free version available
- Price: $39.99 (1-year subscription), $69.98 (2-year subscription)
Another one of the anti-malware industry leaders, Malwarebytes is a tool that provides you with online protection in real time as well as malware removal features. It uses signature-based technology to identify and block malicious programs before they start affecting your system.
An extremely important feature of the application is its ability to safeguard you from various online threats while you browse the Web. Malwarebytes alerts users when they attempt to open unsafe pages, shields the system from complex cyber attacks, and minimizes the possibility of vulnerability exploitation.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the utility’s scan and its malware removal effectiveness. Malwarebytes can detect malign payloads before they start attacking the system and eliminate them completely. It also has a high virus detection rate: 15 million threats blocked each day, according to their official website.
Two versions of the utility available include the free version (complements antivirus) and the paid version (replaces antivirus).
Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus
- Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Mac OS X
- 14-day free trial available
- Price: $29.99-$59.99 (1-year subscription)
Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus is known as the smallest and the fastest security tool. Its size reaches only 15MB (as opposed to other suites that require about 500MB of space) and it takes only about 20 seconds to perform a full system scan (60 times faster than the average scan).
Webroot has a high malware detection rate and it can eliminate advanced parasites as well as potentially unwanted programs. It does not require signature updates.
Other benefits of Webroot include its ability to protect users from online attacks, block attempts to hack into your webcam, keep your personal data safe, and more.
Before you invest in the utility, you can download its free trial. The price of the tool varies depending on the number of devices you wish to protect and the number of features you want to use.
McAfee LiveSafe
- Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/Mac OS X/iOS/Android
- 30-day free trial available
- Price: $79.99 (1-year subscription)
McAfee LiveSafe is a security tool that you can install on as many devices as you want. It works on different operating systems including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android and provides users with real-time online protection, malware removal and some other valuable features.
The McAfee scanning tool is capable of stopping and removing infections in their entirety. If there is a threat that the utility cannot eliminate automatically, McAfee technicians will provide you with a personalized solution or offer you refund. The free technical support is provided online as well as by chat and by phone.
Another layer of protection provided by the tool is the WebAdvisor and a two-way firewall. These two features are there to ensure your online safety and warn you of potential risks such as corrupt websites or unsafe downloads.
Additional features of the security software include Password Manager, which help you to create strong password and protect your bank, social media, email, and other accounts, and Secure Cloud Storage, which allows you to store 1GB of your data online for free.
BONUS: Wipersoft
- Compatible with Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP
- Free version available
- Price: $29.99 (6 month subscription)
Another noteworthy security solution is Wipersoft. The software aims to provide you with smooth and enjoyable online experience by eliminating spyware, adware, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers, and other unwelcome guests from your computer. Its database is frequently updated, so it is capable of detecting even the newest threats.
The application uses award-winning technology to scan your system and detect all possible infections. It then provides you with an option to eliminate all of them automatically or to choose the ones that you wish to keep. If, for some reason, Wipersoft cannot remove the threat completely or if you were infected with a mutating virus, you can always contact Wipersoft technical support team via email or at https://www.wipersoft.com/contact-us/.
There are two versions of the utility available online: the free version (with limited features) and the full version. The free version comes with the spyware detection feature, free scan, and your privacy guarantee, while the paid one includes these and other beneficial functions such as infection removal, HelpDesk, and Custom Fix.