Using the Internet is a process in which most PCs connected to online resources are at risk of viruses and malware infection. In turn, there are a large number of programs that can counteract these threats. Which of them can be called the most effective?
Classification of programs for removing viruses from a PC
A program for removing viruses from a computer can be a highly specialized solution designed to search for and eliminate specific varieties of infected files on a PC or multifunctional antivirus software that includes a wide range of functions for treating an infected computer. It is hard to say what type of software is more effective when cleaning a PC from a virus. In principle, you can always use both a highly specialized product and a full-fledged antivirus. A program for removing viruses from a computer, adapted for specific types of threats, may turn out to be more effective when it comes to infecting a large number of files: simultaneously processing them with antivirus software can overload the system, as a result of which treating your PC will not be completely effective.
It will be justified to use the solutions in question if the malicious program is presented, in fact, not by a virus, but by a script that is embedded, as an option, in the code of a web page opened in a browser. In this case, the antivirus, which will be best adapted to the search for "classic" viruses, may not be easy to detect a similar threat to the PC.
In turn, a multifunctional antivirus is more effective if you need to find several infected files on your PC, but containing a very dangerous and difficult to detect virus. This scenario requires the application to turn to large anti-virus databases - those that multifunctional solutions have. But it will be useful to consider the specifics of both types of virus removal software. Let's start with programs that have a narrow specialization, that is, adapted to remove specific types of threats from a PC.
Kido removal tool
Among the most effective solutions in question is the Kido Removal Tool. It is a small utility designed to find and remove the common Conficker virus from a PC. It belongs to the category of worms - that is, it spreads through the network. The program has a console interface, generally simple in structure.
Rootkitbuster
This program is adapted to remove rootkits from a PC. It is characterized by extremely high reliability. Its important advantage is free of charge. The program checks a variety of areas of the operating system - boot record, registry, ports.
Recit
Another useful program is RecIt. It copes with the detection of such common threats as trojans, in particular, those that require sending SMS and blocking the operating system interfaces. It is also controlled from the command line, but the process of its use does not imply any difficulties for the PC owner.
Adwcleaner
This software is best suited for removing malware from your computer, which is unwanted ad scripts. As a rule, they are embedded in browser interfaces and greatly interfere with the user receiving information from sites.
The main advantage of this program is free of charge, combined with high work efficiency. It is noteworthy that the interface of this software is supplemented by various useful tips for the PC owner. The database of malicious scripts is updated by the program on its own.
Hitmanpro
The next popular highly specialized product is HitmanPro. Its main advantage is speed, which is also combined with the high quality of the modules responsible for detecting and removing threats.
It is noteworthy that this solution does not require installation. The program in question runs for 30 for free, after which you will need to purchase a commercial version of the software.
Anti-malware
Another example of successful software that belongs to the category of highly specialized is the Anti-Malware solution. It, in particular, is perfectly adapted to search for malicious scripts in the browser. This function of the program is evaluated by users and experts extremely positively.
What is the best program to remove viruses from your computer from those that belong to the category of highly specialized solutions? The peculiarity of the products of the corresponding type is that the user can test them in turn. Therefore, the owner of a PC can identify the most effective solution in the most operational time by experience.
From the point of view of the main functions and capabilities, the solutions we examined are generally on the same level, regardless of whether they are free or commercial.
Let us now examine what are the popular programs that belong to the category of multifunctional antiviruses. They, in principle, can also be adapted to remove malicious scripts and other unwanted software, as well as those solutions that we studied above - but their main specialization is the search and removal of “classical” viruses. That is, codes embedded in the structure of other programs and therefore, as a rule, are potentially significantly more dangerous than malicious online scripts.
Kaspersky
Perhaps the most popular Russian program for removing viruses from a computer is Kaspersky Anti-Virus. It is characterized by functionality, reliability, a large anti-virus database, as well as a relatively high level of performance. This product is universal - it is perfect for most common operating systems.
Among its noteworthy functions, apart from protecting the PC itself from viruses, are protection of electronic payments, access control to sites, and the possibility of emergency recovery of the operating system. Of course, the standard and most demanded functions, such as, in particular, disk scanning, virus removal from the computer at startup, monitoring of harmful scripts, are also implemented and performed at the highest level in Kaspersky Anti-Virus.
The most common tests of anti-virus solutions - conducted, in particular, by experts from Virus Bulletin and Dennis Technology Labs - show the highest efficiency of the Russian program - more than 90%.
Doctor web
Another well-known Russian brand is Doctor Web, a program for removing viruses from a computer. This solution is among the pioneers of the domestic anti-virus solutions market. The development team of the Doctor Web program has vast experience in creating algorithms for protecting PCs from various types of threats.
The main advantages that the program has to remove viruses from the computer Dr Web:
- operational updating of virus threat databases;
- high performance with a relatively low load on the resources of the operating system;
- clear and convenient Russian-language interface.
Among the shortcomings of this solution is the ability of some outdated software versions to provoke suspensions and crashes in the OS. However, the latest Doctor Web installations, as noted by users, function without any problems.
NOD 32
The next popular antivirus product is NOD 32. Its main advantages are speed, excellent quality of the threat detection modules, functionality, and the absence of high requirements for system performance.
Some users sometimes note the antivirus’s excessive attention to scanned files - when a program signals the presence of a virus in a harmless file due to the fact that its code structure contains algorithms similar to those characteristic of malware.
Bitdefender
The next well-known program for removing viruses from your computer is BitDefender software. As in the case of Kaspersky Anti-Virus, this solution allows you to control access to sites, as well as protect electronic transactions. Regarding speed - the software in question works by itself fairly quickly, and also includes the function of speeding up the PC.
Some difficulties in using the program in question may arise due to the fact that its interface is not Russified. But the basic functions that this solution offers, Russian users will be able to use easily. It is noteworthy that the brand-manufacturer of the antivirus program in question arranges promotions - within the framework of which you can get the distribution of the corresponding software for free six-month use.
360 Total Security
Another popular program to remove viruses from your computer is the 360 Internet Security solution. Its main advantage is free of charge, combined with the highest efficiency. So, Virus Bulletin tests show that antivirus copes with more than 87% of tasks. Consider a program to remove viruses from your computer - reviews by many users confirm this, it is convenient. This is due not only to the presence of the Russian-language interface, but also to the well thought out menu structure and solution functions. This anti-virus software has the widest range of PC protection capabilities, programs running on it, and removal of malicious files from a computer.
Avast
The next common program to remove viruses from your computer is Avast. This software is available in both paid and free versions. Its main advantages are a high level of virus detection through signature algorithms. The user is encouraged to use the enhanced protection mode provided by the antivirus in question - it allows the program to conduct even more effective monitoring of the appearance of malicious files on the computer. If the corresponding function is not active, the level of protection against viruses can significantly decrease.
The considered program for removing viruses from a computer can track threats both on the PC hard drive and in the software interfaces used by the user when going online. Some experts consider this software to be quite difficult to configure - but, as the reviews of experts and users on the thematic portals show, not everyone shares this point of view.
Comodo
The next noteworthy program for removing viruses from a PC is released under the Comodo brand. It is characterized by a high level of proactive PC protection. It is equipped with a module for blocking insecure connections - a firewall. True, it is not as strong, as users note, in terms of ensuring the protection of data entered using a browser. The considered program, as many experts believe, has a rather complicated interface. However, the fact that it is free and also has all the functions demanded by a modern user determines its highest ratings from PC owners.
Norton
Norton-branded PC virus removal software is also among the most effective solutions. Its main advantage is speed, which is accompanied by the highest level of protection for the operating system.
Another nuance that characterizes the antivirus software in question is that, as a rule, the user does not have a need to enter any settings manually. The program has very well-developed modules for ensuring autonomous operation.
G data
The next popular solution is under the brand name G Data. Its main advantages are an exceptionally high level of threat detection through signature algorithms. This is determined by the fact that the program uses 2 anti-virus engines at once. However, this feature assumes a sufficiently high load on computer resources.
Which antivirus is the best?
What is the best program to remove viruses from your computer on the Russian and world software markets? It can be noted that the solutions we examined are generally comparable both in functionality and in the quality of protecting the computer from virus threats. The fact that some of them are free does not predetermine a significant deterioration in the performance of the respective types of software in comparison with commercial products.
Thus, we have considered, in principle, the best programs for removing viruses from a computer, and the choice of a specific one will most likely be determined by the subjective preferences of the user, as well as his financial capabilities. The main condition for the correct use of their capabilities is to install separately.
We noted above that those programs that belong to the category of highly specialized, in principle, can be activated in turn at the same time. Moreover, some of them do not require, in fact, installation. As for antiviruses, it is highly undesirable to install them on a PC at the same time. From this, the quality of each distribution will decrease significantly, there will be false positives, and an additional load on PC resources will appear. In turn, highly specialized solutions and multifunctional antiviruses are in most cases quite compatible - they can be used simultaneously. It is possible that through a consistent selection of combinations of antivirus and software adapted to remove specific types of malicious codes, the user will identify the most optimal, in terms of their own needs, combination of programs.