11 Best Anti-Ransomware Software

Ransomware attacks are considered to be the most harmful malware attacks and one of the major security threats. The ransomware creators use the file encryption technique to lock your most important files and ask for the ransom in return for a decrypting tool or a key. Basically, it is like kidnapping. 

Such types of attacks are usually carried on the big business organizations or persons who may carry influential files with them. Basically, someone who can pay a considerable amount of ransom and who can’t afford to lose some relevant data is the main target of the ransomware creators.

Once they encrypt your files, they are non-recoverable without getting a decrypter. However, there are some public decrypters available for free, but in most cases, they are of less use since ransomware programs are ever-evolving.

So, what is the solution? How can we be safe from ransomware attacks?

Well, the answer is simple. You have to ever-attentive while browsing and doing essential tasks on the internet and follow the practices of healthy internet usage. It is said that prevention is better than cure, but in the case of ransomware, prevention is the only cure.

However, it does not means that just by following the prevention measures, you would be safe from ransomware attacks. You must protect your system with a proper security solution that can prevent the entry of the ransomware on your device and provide you regular alerts.

In this guide, we would: 

• Discuss some of the top anti-ransomware programs. 
• List out some tools to keep a backup of your essential data. 
• List some common ransomware decrypting tools; if in case your system gets attacked by ransomware.

Best Anti-Ransomware Software

MalwareFox Anti-Malware

MalwareFox Anti-Malware is one of the top-most anti-malware in the security industry. It provides protection to your system from all the major and minor malware threats like viruses, trojans, browser hijackers, keyloggers, ransomware, and others. When it comes to protection against all the existing and emerging ransomware, MalwareFox is the best.

MalwareFox has an excellent in-built anti-ransomware tool. It blocks the execution of ransomware before it could infect a file. It is compatible with the other security solution installed on your system.

Also, the best thing is, it is quite light-weighted, that is, it utilizes very fewer system resources and works well on the low-end devices.

Bitdefender Total Security

Bitdefender is another reputed name in the security industry. Though it is a full-fledged anti-virus suite, its protection against the ransomware attacks is truly extraordinary. It is because of its unique feature called Safe Files. This feature restricts the unauthorized amendments to your sensitive files so that ransomware or other malware can’t attack it. Bitdefender also comes with its own malware scan engine and multi-layered ransomware defense.

Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky is one of the renowned names in the security field. It always updates itself for handling the ever-emerging security threats, and that is why the millions trust it. It’s Internet Security’s anti-ransomware tool is highly capable of safeguarding your system against the ransomware because of its advanced cloud protection.

This cloud protection analyzes the incoming suspicious files in real-time. Even without internet access, it uses the behavior monitoring method to detect ransomware and other malware programs. The app also provides the VPN service with up to 200 MB a day limit.

Acronis Ransomware Protection

Acronis provides the most straight forward ransomware protection. Its focus is only on protecting your system from ransomware attacks. It could detect suspicious software that could potentially steal personal information. Its real-time protection is quite impressive and nearly impenetrable. Additionally, it also provides a 5GB storage in its Acronis Cloud Service for the purpose of file backup.

Acronis also monitors the running processes on the system and allows you the option to block them if something is fishy. It also comes with a Help Center. It could be accessed after signing in to the web account. Help center provides comprehensive documentation, live chat support, and FAQs.

Norton Security

Norton uses the signature-based technique to protect your system from ransomware attacks. It has a vast database of more than 240,000 network sensors in over 200 countries, which helps it to detect the infectious or suspicious files. Its plan also provides the 50 GB of cloud storage for the purpose of data backup.

Avast Antivirus

Avast is a complete security program and one of the oldest and trusted in the anti-virus market. With the advancement in the threats, the Avast has also evolved itself to be more efficient in detecting malware. Its behavior monitoring is quite effective in grabbing the ransomware before it could harm your files.
Avast basic program is free; however, for ransomware protection, you would need to buy a premium version.

Zemana Antimalware

Zemana is a lightweight anti-malware solution that has a good reputation in protection against the ransomware attacks.With the rise of ransomware assaults, Zemana created a dedicated team to research and invested in providing efficient anti-ransomware.

Along with that, it is also specialized in detecting and removing spyware, adware, and other malware programs.

HitmanPro.Alert

HitmanPro.Alert is another anti-malware that specializes in safeguarding against the ransomware attacks. The program comes with an advanced ransomware protection tool called CryptoGuard. This unique tool assists the program in quick detection of the ransomware and protects the files before they get encrypted.

In some cases, the tool is also capable of reversing the effects of the ransomware.

GridinSoft Anti-Ransomware

GridinSoft Anti-Ransomware is a security program that is solely created for the protection against the ransomware attacks and no additional security. It provides you with an option of full automatization. That is, you can do your work, while GridinSoft would monitor your system in the background. Its Multi-Layered defense tool blocks any ransomware attempts and would track down the source of the attack.

Furthermore, it also gives real-time alerts for any suspicious activity, and provide you tips on how to prevent any wrongdoing.

It also uses behavioral analysis using its existing database to analyze the actions of ransomware.

Malwarebytes Antimalware

Malwarebytes is the big name in the anti-malware world. Apart from its regular anti-malware solution, Malwarebytes have introduced this ransomware protection tool specifically for safeguarding against the newest type of ransomware, like crypto-mining, screen-locking ransomware, and others. However, this program is only available for organizations and not for personal use.

For home users, the regular Malwarebytes anti-malware also comes with an anti-ransomware tool. The real-time anti-ransomware guard of Malwarebytes has proven to be highly effective. After any suspicious file is detected, the user would have two options either to Quarantine or to remove it. This anti-malware program also provides a free trial.

McAfee Ransomware Interceptor

McAfee is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to online security. With its ransomware interceptor, it has also assured its customer for the protection against any sort of ransomware attack.

This application is quite light-weighted but still works incredibly in detecting and blocking ransomware to grow and attack. However, sometimes it displays some false error, but that can be ignored because other times, it is very much active. 

Some Backup Tools

Backing up is not only necessary for protecting your files in case of a ransomware attack, but there are many other factors like system crash, hard-drive crash, and others when it becomes essential for a backup of your files. 

When it comes to backing up only the important files, then the cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, and others are more than sufficient. Or you can also back them in an external hard disk. These cloud services don’t provide an auto-backup option, but you can manually do that regularly. But things get different for an enterprise-level of backing up.

So for an extensive backup, you can go for the following options:

EaseUS Todo Backup Free

EaseUS Todo provides a range of options for backups. It provides you the option to backup a single file or folder, whole partition or drive, or a full system backup. You can also set some folders or drive that you want to get automatically backed up. It also gives the option to use cloud storage. Scheduling the backup is also easy.

Cobian Backup

Cobian Backup is the most advanced free backup tool and can be hard to use for the beginner. But it provides lots of flexibility to get used to it. It can be used for multiple backup jobs and also backup to multiple locations at the same time. The backups can also be compressed to save the space and can also be encrypted to keep them secure.

Paragon Backup & Recovery

With its simple and straightforward interface, the Paragon Backup & Recovery makes the backing up process easy and comfortable. You can schedule the backup according to your preference. It can backup a single file or folder, a part of the partition, and even the full system. The best part is, it also comes with a recovery tool that is effective in recovering the deleted files.

Free Ransomware Decryption Tools

If, unfortunately, your system got attacked by ransomware, then you should never go for paying up the ransom. It is because many times, even after paying the ransom amount, the victim does not get the proper decrypting tool. Moreover, there might be a possibility that already existing decrypting tools could decrypt the ransomware which attacked your system. Following is the list of those decryptors:

• Quick Heal Ransomware Tool
• Emisoft Tools
• Kaspersky Free Ransomware Decryptors
• Avast Ransomware Decryption Tools
• McAfee Ransomware Decryptors
• AVG Ransomware Decryption Tools
• No More Ransom Decryptors

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.