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 1. Home
 2. Best
 3. Computing


BEST RANSOMWARE PROTECTION OF 2022: PAID AND FREE DECRYPTION TOOLS

By Brian Turner last updated April 16, 2022

Prevent and remove infection with the best ransomware protection tools

 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * 
 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * 

PRICE

VERDICT

REASONS TO BUY

REASONS TO AVOID


VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID

Included in this guide:
1


Bitdefender
Antivirus Plus
Check Price
2


AVG Antivirus
View
3


Avast Free Antivirus
Check Price
4


Webroot Antivirus
View
5


null
View
6


Malwarebytes
Anti-Malware
Check Price
7


Avast Free Ransomware ...
View
8


Kaspersky Anti-Ransomw...
View



(Image credit: Pixabay)


The best ransomware protection software makes it simple and easy to protect your
files and folders from being corrupted by ransomware.


The best ransomware protection

Click the links below to go to the provider's website:

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (opens in new tab)

2. AVG Antivirus (opens in new tab)

3. Avast Antivirus (opens in new tab)

4. Webroot Antivirus (opens in new tab)

5. ESET NOD32 Antivirus (opens in new tab)

Having some of the best ransomware protection software has become increasingly
necessary as cybersecurity (opens in new tab) risks increase. This is especially
because if you do suffer from a successful ransomware attack, it can be very
difficult to remove.



While there are tools available that will aim to help reverse a ransomware
attack, the best defense is to avoid being infected by ransomware in the first
place.

Most of the best antivirus software (opens in new tab) and anti-malware software
(opens in new tab) will have protections against ransomware built in, so we've
featured these at the top of our list - after all, prevention is better than
treatment.

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


Shells.com TechRadar Exclusive


Mitigate your ransomware risks with free Backblaze unlimited cloud backup
ExpressVPN, TechRadar's #1 VPN provider, is offering free unlimited cloud backup
courtesy of Backblaze for a whole year when you sign up for an annual VPN
subscription. Storing your files securely in the cloud can help you recover
after a ransomware infection while using a VPN can help keep your devices
protected online.

View Deal

For businesses, really it's long past time to have a full disaster recovery
software (opens in new tab) 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.

Altogether, ransomware remains bad news and its likely to become worse, and
while we've tried to list the best tools for removing it, do be aware that they
have limitations and that prevention is the much better strategy.

You can also scroll down the page to our list of best ransomware removal
software.



(Image credit: Bitdefender)


1. BITDEFENDER ANTIVIRUS PLUS

The best ransomware protection
Today's Best Deals
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
€15.99
/year
Bitdefender Internet Security
€23.99
/year
Bitdefender Total Security
€32
/year
Visit Siteat Bitdefender

REASONS TO BUY

+
Accurate levels of detection
+
Password manager included
+
Cheap subscription costs

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Can be resource-hungry

Get a 50-60% discount on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (opens in new tab)
TechRadar's #1 rated antivirus in a world packed with loads of virus protection
providers, and doesn't even cost that much more than free antivirus downloads.

One at any rankings of big independent antivirus, and you’ll see that
Bitdefender's premium security products always rise to the top.



(opens in new tab)

Bidefender Antivirus Plus (opens in new tab) is reliable and accurate in its
virus detecting, boasting web and URL filtering (opens in new tab) to block
access to malicious sites, as well as a secure browser that keeps your online
banking and shopping transactions safe. Plus, there's a password manager which
auto-completes credit card details in web forms. It also scores high for its
excellent anti-phishing module, which alerts you to malicious links in your
search engine results and blocks access to dangerous sites.

That’s not all: of course, there's also the multi-layer ransomware protection
that heuristically learns the behavior of such threats to keep you safe as well
as the ability to scan all your linked devices via the Bitdefender Central
mobile app. 

There are one or two issues – it grabs more resources than average, and might
conflict with some programs – but Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is still a likeable
package which offers excellent detection rates, great performance, and more than
enough bonus features to justify the price.

Bitdefender Internet Security builds on AVP and triples the number of devices
covered plus offers anti-spam, firewall, parental advisor and file encryption
features.

For a little bit more you can purchase the Bitdefender Total Security edition.
It adds all of the above and covers up to five PCs, Macs, Android and iOS
devices.

Read our full Bitdefender Antivirus Plus review (opens in new tab).



(Image credit: n/a)


(Image credit: AVG)


2. AVG ANTIVIRUS

Another good defense against ransomware
Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Quite configurable
+
Great track record of malware protection

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Deep scans can be slow

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

As a ransomware shield and anti-malware app, though, it's very good. The
dashboard is user-friendly, there's protection not just from downloadable
threats, but from dodgy links too, and you can use your mobile to scan your PC
remotely, which is pretty clever.

Although the free version offers basic antivirus protection, you really need to
upgrade to the paid version to get the full-featured protection against
ransomware, as well as additional security software protections such as data
encryption options as well as a firewall.

Read our full AVG Antivirus Free review (opens in new tab).



(Image credit: n/a)


(Image credit: Avast)


3. AVAST ANTIVIRUS

Solid protection against ransomware
Today's Best Deals
Avast Free Antivirus
Visit Siteat AVAST Software

REASONS TO BUY

+
Anti-virus and anti-malware
+
Excellent detection rates
+
Worthwhile upgrades
+
Doesn't slow your system

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Advertising prompts

Avast Antivirus (opens in new tab) is one of the most competent internet
protection suites out there. While the company is famous for providing free
antivirus software, it's worth noting that this now comes bundled with an
anti-malware feature that uses behavioral monitoring to spot rogue programs.

What's even better is that not only are Avast's basic products free, but they
are also available for mobile devices as well as for desktops, which makes Avast
a particular ideal choice if you have multiple devices you need to check.

Even better is that ransomware protection is included in the free version of the
Avast Antivirus platform, so you don't even need to pay to upgrade for this,
though additional security features are available if you do.

For business users, there are paid-for internet security options to cover a
range of needs and options.

Read our full Avast Antivirus review (opens in new tab).



(Image credit: n/a)


(Image credit: Webroot)


4. WEBROOT ANTIVIRUS

Lightweight ransomware protection
Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Extremely light on system resources
+
Lightning fast speeds

REASONS TO AVOID

-
No testing data from the top labs

Just about every antivirus tool claims to be ‘lightweight’, but Webroot
Antivirus (opens in new tab) is really the only one to deliver on this front.
Installation takes seconds, the program files barely use 2MB of your hard drive,
RAM footprint is tiny, and there are no bulky signature updates to tie up your
bandwidth.

Considering this, there's no compromise on features, which makes it all the more
impressive. Along with the core protection, there's smart behavior monitoring,
accurate real-time anti-phishing, a firewall and network connection monitor,
enhanced anti-ransomware, and other interesting bonuses.

It's not easy to compare Webroot's accuracy with the competition, as the big
testing labs rarely evaluate the company's products. However, when they are
reviewed, they generally score high, and our own tests show solid and reliable
protection.

Features include always-on security, identity protection, real-time
anti-phishing, firewall monitor.

Read our full Webroot Antivirus review (opens in new tab).



(Image credit: n/a)


(Image credit: ESET)


5. ESET NOD32 ANTIVIRUS

Expert-level antivirus for the more experienced user
Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Highly configurable
+
Device access control

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Not for beginners

If you judge antivirus software on the length of its feature list, ESET NOD32
Antivirus (opens in new tab) might be a bit of a disappointment. There’s no
firewall, password manager, file shredder, vulnerability scanner or any of the
bundled bonuses you'll often find in its rivals.

This doesn't mean the package is short on power, however. It's just more focused
on the fundamentals. ESET NOD32 Antivirus comes with real-time malware
protection, some of the best heuristic detection around, an anti-ransomware
layer, exploit protection, URL filtering to block malicious websites, and
modules to prevent attacks using PowerShell and malicious scripts.

A Device Control module limits the risk of infection from other devices by
controlling access to USB sticks, external hard drives, optical storage media,
even devices connecting by Bluetooth and FireWire. It's an unusual addition, but
could make a difference if others are regularly plugging devices into your PC.

Just bear in mind that ESET NOD32 Antivirus isn't aimed at beginners. The
interface is clumsy sometimes, some features are very advanced, and even the
Help isn't always helpful.

Experienced users will appreciate ESET’s power and configurability, however.
Above-average protection does a good job of keeping you safe, and a lightweight
design ensures the package won't slow you down.

ESET Internet Security builds on NOD 32 and triples the number of devices
covered plus offers firewall, botnet protection, webcam protection, antispam and
more. Alternatively, you can purchase the ESET Smart Security Premium edition
for not much more. It adds all of the above as well as password management and
secure data.

Read our full ESET NOD32 Antivirus review (opens in new tab).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BEST RANSOMWARE REMOVAL SOFTWARE

The best malware removal software available right now is: Malwarebytes Premium
If you're suffering from a malware infection and free software isn't getting the
job done, Malwarebytes Premium could be the silver bullet you need. It uses
heuristic analysis to identify new strains of malware, cleans up existing
infections, helps protect you from phishing scams, and helps stop you
downloading further malicious software in the future, including ransomware.




(Image credit: Malwarebytes)


1. MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE

The most effective ransomware remover
Today's Best Deals
Premium 2 Years
US$59.98
/year
Premium 1 Year
US$29.99
/year
Visit Siteat Malwarebytes

REASONS TO BUY

+
Deals with all kinds of malware
+
Deep scanning

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Free and paid versions overlap

If you have a ransomware infection, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (opens in new tab)
should be your first port of call. It’s updated daily, so you can trust it to
identify and remove new threats the minute they appear.

The first time you install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, you’re given a 14-day
trial of the premium edition, which includes preventative tools like real-time
scanning and specific protection from ransomware. After two weeks, it reverts to
the basic free version. This has to be activated manually, but is still a
top-notch security tool. We recommend running it at least once a week to check
or any nasties that you haven't noticed, or if you notice that your web browser
has suddenly started acting strangely (likely a result of adware).

Recently, Malwarebytes bought Adwcleaner, which – as its name suggests – targets
and removes annoying programs that hijack your browser by changing your
homepage, resetting your default search engine, or adding unwanted toolbars.
It’s also available free, and along with Anti-Malware, is a great addition to
your security toolkit.

Read our full Malwarebytes Anti-Malware review (opens in new tab).



(Image credit: n/a)


(Image credit: Avast )


2. AVAST FREE RANSOMWARE DECRYPTION TOOLS

Solutions designed to defeat different strains of ransomware
Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

+
Step-by-step guidance
+
Tackles 21 forms of ransomware
+
Frequently updated

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Not as thorough as some paid tools

Not all ransomware encrypts data in the same way, so security software providers
have to create specific solutions as new threats emerge. At the time of writing,
the security experts at Avast have developed Free Ransomware Decryption Tools
(opens in new tab) to tackle 21 different strains of file-locking ransomware.

To help you work out which one you need, Avast has provided a detailed
description (opens in new tab) 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’ve downloaded the appropriate tool, it will guide you through the
process of wiping out the ransomware without paying the criminals. You’ll need
to provide two versions of the same file – an encrypted one, and the original.

This will be easiest if you made a backup before the infection, but Avast also
suggests locations where you might be able to find unaffected original files.
The tool will then compare the two and use the results to determine the
password.



(Image credit: n/a)


(Image credit: Kaspersky)


3. KASPERSKY ANTI-RANSOMWARE TOOL

Comprehensive ransomware protection for your small business
Today's Best Deals
VISIT SITE

REASONS TO BUY

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

REASONS TO AVOID

-
Can slow down some devices

Ransomware on your home computer is bad enough, but an infection that locks you
out of your business PCs could be an absolute disaster. Your accounts, customer
data, client information and work could all be encrypted – and it could affect
multiple machines on the same network. 

Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool (opens in new tab) is designed to help small- and
medium-sized businesses (SMBs) protect their data from such a catastrophe. Like
Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware, it’s a preventative tool designed to prevent
infection in the first place rather than decrypt files or unlock your desktop.

Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool runs happily alongside your regular security
suite, monitoring network activity for anything that matches known ransomware
behavior. Its threat database is stored on Kaspersky’s cloud servers, so updates
are pushed out to all users immediately 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


RANSOMWARE VS MALWARE, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Adam Kujawa, Director of Malwarebytes Labs:

“The term malware, or ‘malicious software,’ is an umbrella term that describes
any malicious program or code that is harmful to systems, including ransomware.
Hostile, intrusive, and intentionally nasty, malware seeks to invade, damage, or
disable computers, computer systems, networks, tablets, and mobile devices,
often by taking partial control over a device’s operations. Like the human flu,
it interferes with normal functioning. The motives behind malware vary - it can
be about making money off you, sabotaging your ability to get work done, making
a political statement, or just bragging rights."

Round up of today's best deals
Reduced Price
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
€39.99
€15.99
/year
View
Avast Free Antivirus

View
25% off
Premium 2 Years
US$59.98
/year
View
Reduced Price
Bitdefender Internet Security
€59.99
€23.99
/year
View
Reduced Price
Bitdefender Total Security
€79.99
€32
/year
View
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
powered by
Brian Turner


Brian has over 30 years publishing experience as a writer and editor across a
range of computing, technology, and marketing titles. He has been interviewed
multiple times for the BBC and been a speaker at international conferences. His
specialty on techradar is Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, covering
everything from office suites to IT service tools. He is also a science fiction
and fantasy author, published as Brian G Turner.

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