Ransomware Prevention Tools

Best ransomware protection of 2021: free and paid decryption tools

Ransomware protection software that is the best will not only stop ransomware from infecting your computer but also prevent it from changing your files and folders locally or remotely.

THE BEST PROTECTION FOR RANSOMWARE

Ransomware protection has become increasingly necessary as cybersecurity risks increase. Ransomware can be extremely difficult to remove if it is successful.

Some tools can reverse ransomware attacks, but it is best to avoid getting infected.

Anti-malware and antivirus software that is top-of-the-line will offer protection against ransomware. We’ve included these features in our top 10 list because prevention is always better than treatment.

On top of this, for ordinary users backing up their most important files offline or online through a cloud storage solution, chances are they can recover them if you access them from a different machine.

Backblaze Unlimited cloud backup is a free way to reduce ransomware riskExpressVPNTechRadar’s top VPN provider is Backblaze. They offer unlimited cloud backup for one year with an annual VPN subscription. A VPN can protect your devices online and help you recover from ransomware infections.

For businesses, really it’s long past time to have a full disaster recovery software platform in place, to ensure that – should a ransomware attack get past your existing endpoint security – you can at least recover everything you need from a recent or even real-time backup.

Ransomware is still a serious problem. It’s likely to get worse. We tried to provide the best tools to remove it. However, they are not perfect and prevention is better.

These are the top ransomware protection platforms that are currently available.

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Enjoy a Discount of 50-60% on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
TechRadar’s #1 antivirus is a highly rated product that offers a wide range of antivirus protection options. It doesn’t cost any more than free antivirus downloads.

You’ll find Bitdefender’s premium security products at the top of any ranking of large independent antivirus programs.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is reliable and accurate in its virus detecting, boasting web and URL filtering to block access to malicious sites, as well as a secure browser that keeps your online banking and shopping transactions safe. A password manager automatically completes credit card information in web forms. It’s also praised for its anti-phishing module which alerts you to suspicious links in search engine results and blocks access from dangerous websites.

This is not all. There’s also multi-layer ransomware protection, which heuristically recognizes the behavior of these threats to keep you safe. You can scan all linked devices using the Bitdefender Central mobile application.

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Although there are a few issues, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus can use more resources than the average program and may conflict with other programs. However, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus remains a good package that offers great detection rates, great performance, and plenty of bonus features to make it worth the cost.

Bitdefender Internet Security is a variant of AVP. It triples the number of covered devices and offers anti-spam and firewall, parental advisor, and file encryption features.

Bitdefender Total Security Edition is available for a little more. This edition covers all the above, and up to five computers, Macs, and Android devices.

 2. Another great defense against ransomware

If you’re looking for ransomware protection that keeps quiet and won’t disturb your work, be warned – AVG Antivirus Free is quite vocal with its notifications, and irks us from time to time with pop-ups telling us we’ve done something fantastic concerning our online security.

It’s ransomware protection and anti-malware application, but it’s excellent. It’s user-friendly and protects you from all downloadable threats as well as dodgy links. You can also use your mobile phone to remotely scan your computer, which is quite clever.

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The free version of antivirus protection is basic, but you need to upgrade to the paid one to have full protection against ransomware and additional security software protections like data encryption options, firewalls, and more.

3. Avast Antivirus

Solid protection against ransomware

Avast Antivirus is one of the most competent internet protection suites out there. The company is well-known for its free antivirus software. However, this comes now with an antimalware feature that uses behavioral tracking to detect rogue programs.

Avast’s core products are free and available on mobile devices. This makes Avast an ideal choice for users with multiple devices.

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The best part is that ransomware protection comes with the free Avast Antivirus platform. You don’t even have to pay for an upgrade, although additional security features may be available if necessary.

There are paid-for options for internet security that can be used by business users to meet a variety of needs.

4. Webroot Antivirus

Just about every antivirus tool claims to be ‘lightweight’, but Webroot Antivirus is really the only one to deliver on this front. The installation takes only seconds and the program files take up less than 2MB of your hard disk. There are no large signature updates that clog up your bandwidth.

This makes it even more impressive. There are many other bonuses, including smart behavior monitoring, real-time antiphishing, network connection monitors, enhanced anti-ransomware, and firewall monitoring.

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Webroot’s accuracy is difficult to compare with other companies’ products since the major testing labs don’t often evaluate them. They generally score well when they are evaluated, and our tests show that they provide reliable and solid protection.

Security features include identity protection, security that is always on, and real-time anti-phishing.

5. ESET NOD32 Antivirus

If you judge antivirus software on the length of its feature list, ESET NOD32 Antivirus might be a bit of a disappointment. It doesn’t include a firewall, password manager, or file shredder. There are no vulnerability scanners, file shredders, or other bundled bonuses that you might find in the rivals.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the package lacks power. It is more focused on the basics. ESET NOD32 Antivirus includes real-time malware protection, the most advanced heuristic detection, URL filtering to block malicious sites, anti-ransomware layers, exploit protection, URL filtering, URL blocking to block malicious URLs, and modules to stop attacks using PowerShell or malicious scripts.

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The Device Control module reduces the risk of infection by controlling access to USB sticks and external hard drives. It also controls optical storage media, optical storage media, and devices that connect via Bluetooth or FireWire. This is an unusual addition but can make a big difference if other people are plugging in devices to your computer.

Be aware that ESET NOD32 is not designed for beginners. Sometimes the interface is difficult to use, while others are extremely advanced and the Help function is not always useful.

ESET’s flexibility and power will be appreciated by experienced users. ESET’s above-average protection will keep you safe. The package is lightweight so it won’t slow down.

ESET Internet Security is based on NOD 32. It triples the number of covered devices and offers antispam, botnet protection, and a firewall. You can also purchase the ESET Smart Security Premium Edition for a fraction of the price. You get all the above, plus password management and secure data.

The best ransomware removal software

Malwarebytes Premium is the best malware removal tool available right now
Malwarebytes Premium is the best choice if you are suffering from malware infections and have no other options. It uses heuristic analysis and protects you from phishing scams.

Image credit: Malwarebytes

1. Malwarebytes Antimalware

If you have a ransomware infection, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should be your first port of call. It is updated every day, so it can identify and remove any new threats as soon as they occur.

Malwarebytes Antimalware gives you a 14-day free trial. This premium edition includes tools such as real-time scanning and protection against ransomware. It returns to the basic version after two weeks. It must be activated manually but it is still a great security tool. It is recommended that you run it at least once per week to detect any potential nasties or if your browser suddenly behaves strangely (likely due to adware).

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Malwarebytes recently bought Adwcleaner. This program, as the name implies, targets and eliminates annoying programs that hijack your web browser. It does this by changing your homepage or resetting your default search engines. This tool, along with Anti-Malware is free, makes a great addition to your security toolkit.

2. 2. Different ransomware strains can be defeated with different solutions

Ransomware does not encrypt data in the same way. Security software providers must create new solutions when new threats arise. At the time of writing, the security experts at Avast have developed Free Ransomware Decryption Tools to tackle 21 different strains of file-locking ransomware.

To help you work out which one you need, Avast has provided a detailed description of how each form of ransomware works, what extension you’ll see on the encrypted files, and an example of the type of message the virus creators have prepared for their victims.

Once you have downloaded the right tool, it will help you to remove ransomware from your computer without having to pay the criminals. Two versions of the same file will be required: one encrypted and one original.

It is best to have a backup of your files before you get infected. However, Avast can also suggest locations where you may be able to find original files that are not affected. The tool will compare them and then use the results to determine your password.

3. Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool

+Proactive ransomware protection+Can undo malicious actions+Monitors network activity

Ransomware that is installed on your computer at home can be a serious problem. However, it could also lock you out of your business computers. It could also affect other machines in the network, encrypting your accounts, customer information, and work.

Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool is designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) protect their data from such a catastrophe. It’s similar to Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware. This tool is designed to protect your data from infection, rather than unlocking files or decrypting them.

Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool works happily alongside your security suite. It monitors network activity for any ransomware behavior. Kaspersky’s cloud servers store the threat database, so any updates are immediately pushed to all users

Ransomware or Malware? What’s the difference?

Adam Kujawa is Director of Malwarebytes LabsMalicious software is a broad term for any malicious program or code that can cause harm to computers, including ransomware. Malware is a hostile, intrusive, malicious, and deliberately nasty program that aims to infiltrate, damage, disable or disable computers and computer systems, networks, and tablets. It can also take partial control of a device’s operation. It interferes with normal function, much like the human flu. Malware can have many motives. It could be used to make money, hinder your ability to get work done, bragging rights, or simply to make a statement. “

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Ransomware has been a hot topic in 2021. However, it has been around since the late 1980s. It is a type of malware that blocks users from accessing their files or systems. Ransomware usually demands ransom payment via cryptocurrency or pre-paid cash cards to gain access. Ransomware that encrypts and steals your data is the most destructive. The attacker may demand payment to decrypt the files or request additional funds to prevent the files from being released to the public. This ransomware is dangerous because once they have your files, there is no way to restore them or use security software. They are gone unless you pay the ransom. Even if you pay the ransom, it’s not guaranteed that the cybercriminals will return the files or try to extort them again in the future.

How can I detect ransomware?

We reached out to Jim Bowers, security architect at Technology Brokerage Inc, to find out what his thoughts are about strategies and methods for identifying and detecting ransomware. Below is his answerRansomware continues to be one of the most prevalent cybersecurity attack vectors and it will continue to rise, especially during the pandemic where we’ve seen an 800% increase in ransomware attacks. These types of attacks are not immune to any organization, no matter how large or what industry they work in.

Businesses must be ready to defend themselves against ransomware attacks, given the dramatic rise in ransomware attacks over the past few months. To protect themselves and detect potential attacks before they happen, organizations should adopt a multilayered security approach. A layered approach means implementing various solutions that secure the business at different endpoints. These elements can be included:

Although the key to success is to implement the strategies, there are other warning signs. Spam and Phishing emails are a fast and inexpensive way for threat actors to gain customer or business information. To detect spam and phishing emails before employees have the chance to view them, ensure that there is an email verification security program in place.

Although automated detection systems are required to alert the appropriate teams about a ransomware attack by runningsomware, there are other indicators that a system may have been compromised.

Suspected network communications may indicate a threat actor’s interaction in ransomware. Suspicious file activity can also be an indication of ransomware trying to access files to encrypt and remove data.