Non-Signature Anti-Malware

Bottom Line: If hackers inject malware into your site, your customers could suffer, and your site could get blacklisted. Your desktop antivirus scans the PC for malware, known and unknown. StopTheHacker does the same for your website.

Bottom Line: The independent labs don't test Malwarebytes, so I have to rely solely on my own hands-on tests. My results indicate that the product's malware removal capabilities are vastly better than its malware blocking abilities. That makes the free edition a better deal.

Bottom Line: If you have a problem with malware that prevents installing a regular antivirus, or malware that your regular antivirus can't remove, try the free edition of Malwarebytes. For most types of malware its cleanup is significantly more thorough than average.

Bottom Line: Both PCMag's tests and independent lab tests show that Norman's malware cleanup isn't the best. However, this free tool runs even when malware blocks installation of more full-featured products. Give it a try when you need a quick fix.

Bottom Line: No new program, malicious or valid, can run without your permission when Anti-Executable is on the job. This tool is more flexible than it used to be, and it's especially suited to business environments. Home users will have to decide whether it's too intrusive for them.

Bottom Line: With virtualization app Returnil installed, malware can't permanently damage your PC—rebooting wipes out all changes. Yes, before it's wiped out the malware might perpetrate some non-virtual crimes like transmitting secret information, so use Returnil in conjunction with traditional antivirus software.

Bottom Line: With virtualization app Returnil installed, malware can't permanently damage your PC—rebooting wipes out all changes. Since malicious programs can transmit private information before you reboot, Returnil includes antivirus. However, in testing it proved worthless. Get the Home Classic edition with no antivirus and add better AV from another vendor.

Bottom Line: Even though this suite is free, I can't recommend it. The firewall is good, but its single-minded behavior-based protection will drive users mad with popups. It detected almost all threats on my infested test systems, but did a lousy job of removing them. Consider installing just the firewall, paired with a more effective free antivirus.

Bottom Line: With GreenBorder Pro you can surf anywhere you want, secure in the knowledge that malware can't permanently change your system. I tested it; it works! It won't remove existing malware, though—it works alongside spyware and virus scanners.

Bottom Line: If a malicious program can't run, it can't harm your computer. Anti-Executable blocks every program except those that were present when you installed it. It's a simple-minded solution, but effective for systems that don't change a lot.