Often times those pests missed by system antivirus may be detected by antimalware. There are reasons to say why you need a second opinion security tool. There are many commercial antivirus suites which have two or more scan engines like the G-Data, the simple reason why they have implimented multi scan engine is to increase the detection rate. Probably infections missed by the first may be detected by second, thats it. While paid antivirus or Internet Security Suite makes a good protection for Windows PC, its wise to augment the security to next level specially if you are using a free antivirus or an Internet Security Suite. Antimalware makes a perfect 2nd opinion security suite for freeware antivirus users. Featurewise its little less than antivirus suites but a step up over the antispyware. Having the worlds best antivirus installed in your machine doesn't mean that you are foolproof to infections. I have made an exclusive list of 10+ free antimalware for Windows which should compliment best with any antivirus solution installed in your machine. Have a look.
1) Malwarebytes AntimalwareMalwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a full-blown anti-malware program that has recently left our labs and can be considered the next step in the detection and removal of malware. A new technologies that were especially designed to quickly detect, deter and destroy any malware that could reside in your computer. The Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware application was designed to monitor every process and actually stops malicious processes before they even start. It uses our impressive technology that is in fact a completely novel way of heuristic scanning and it is our response to the increasingly complex malware threats.
And, as we did with our Malwarebytes' RogueRemover we also have added a threats center. You can simply check online which pests are removed the most and thus are the most prevalent.
Limitations:
* Requires a restart to remove the malwares detected.
* Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is FREEWARE, however you may upgrade to the PRO version for $25 which contains realtime protection, scheduled scanning and updating.
Emsisoft Anti-Malware is a powerful trojan scanner and remover which detects more than 4 million different types of trojan horses and other malwares. So it is the perfect addition to your existing antivirus software. The Emsisoft background guard prevents harmful programs running on your PC. It blocks Malware before it can become active. To do so, it uses our unique and highly effective behavior analysis technology to provide an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) which alerts you immediately if any running programs exhibit suspicious behaviour. Formly known as a-squared free.
Limitations :
* Offers initial free 30 days full commercial trial but becomes freeware there after. Costs $40.
3) Comodo BOClean Anti-Malware (31 MB)BOClean runs in the background without being bothersome, monitoring the memory for any malware-related activity. When it discovers malware, it deletes malware. Simple as that. And because of its unique memory-detection system, BOClean manages to catch malicious software earlier than most antivirus programs. It's anti malware software you can set and forget. Once installed, BOClean constantly watches memory, file system, and registry, waiting for any malware that attempts to load. Once it detects the presence of a malicious program, it springs into action. Malware: gone. Plus, BOClean expertly removes any and all "hooks" the malware may have injected into the system, and restores its original condition.
4) Spyware TerminatorSpyware Terminator will scan your computer for known threats and report findings in a manner that is easy to read and interpret. Every entry is given a rating and a classification, which makes it very easy to decide if a detected item should be removed. Unlike some free software titles, Spyware Terminator will remove all threats for free. Spyware Terminator has included the popular award winning open-source antivirus, Clam AntiVirus (ClamAV), for optional integration to achieve a higher level of security. ClamAV can be integrated into spyware scans, updates and the real-time protection. Spyware Terminator gives users the ability to schedule spyware scans on a regular basis to ensure computer integrity. Scans can be scheduled on either a daily or a weekly basis at any hour of the day.
5) Spybot - Search & DestroySpybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer. Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you have been working on. And for professional users, Spybot-S&D allows you to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports.
6) IObit Security 360IObit Security 360 is an advanced malware & spyware removal utility that detects, removes the deepest infections, and protects your PC from various of potential spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, bots, worms, and hijackers. With the unique "Dual-Core" engine and the heuristic malware detection, IObit Security 360 detects the most complex and deepest spyware and malware in a very fast and efficient way. IObit Security 360 has a real-time malware protection and frequent automatic updating for prevention of zero-day security threats. IObit Security 360 can work with your Antivirus for a superior PC security.
Limitations : To get enhanced protection, upgrade to PRO edition for $ 20.
7) CombofixComboFix is a program that scans your computer for known malware, and when found, attempts to clean these infections automatically. In addition to being able to remove a large amount of the most common and current malware, ComboFix also displays a report that can be used by trained helpers to remove malware that is not automatically removed by the program. You should not run ComboFix unless you are specifically asked to by a helper. Also, due to the power of this tool it is strongly advised that you do not attempt to act upon any of the information displayed by ComboFix without supervision from someone who has been properly trained. If you do so, it may lead to problems with the normal functionality of your computer.
8) eScan Anti Virus & Spyware Toolkit UtilityeScan Antivirus Toolkit is a utility that enables you to scan and clean Viruses, Spyware, Adware and any other Malware that may have infected your computer. The eScan Antivirus Toolkit requires no installation and can be run directly from anywhere, on your computer, USB Drive or from a CD ROM. You can also run eScan Antivirus Toolkit even if you already have other antivirus software installed on your computer. The eScan Antivirus Toolkit also gets updated on a daily basis with the latest updates to detect recently release spyware and adware, plus the engine is constantly being improvised for faster and intelligent detections.
9) Norman Malware CleanerNorman Malware Cleaner is a Norman program that can be used to detect and remove specific malicious software (malware).
Note that it should not be used as a substitute for running normal proactive antivirus protection, but rather as a reactive tool to handle systems that are already infected. By downloading and running Norman Malware Cleaner it will clean an infected system completely:
- kill running processes that are infcted
- remove infections from disk (including ActiveX components and browser helper objects)
- reveal and remove rootkits
- restore correct registry values
- remove references created by malware in hosts file
- remove windows firewall rules for malicious programs
Limitations :
* This tool will not work in Windows Safe Mode. Please run Windows in Normal Mode.
10) Dr.WEB CureItDr.WEB CureIt! is an antivirus and anti-spyware scanning tool that is developed on the Dr.WEB engine which will help you quickly scan and cure, if necessary, a computer without installation of the Dr.WEB Anti-virus. Dr.WEB CureIT! automatically detects the language of the OS it is installed to and sets the scanner interface accordingly (if the local language is not supported, English is enabled). Dr.WEB CureIt! contains the most up-to-date add-ons to the Dr.WEB virus bases going up to twice per hour frequency at periods of high malware submissions.
11) SUPERAntiSpyware FreeSUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition is a free and useful software that will detect and remove thousands of Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms. SUPERAntiSpyware features many unique and powerful technologies and removes spyware threats that other applications fail to remove.
Limitation : Pro edition has enhanced features like realtime shield, autoupdate and online scan which costs $30
12) WormblasterWormBlaster is a freeware, all-purpose virus removal tool for Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is carefully designed to help you remove a wide range of threats including viruses, worms, Trojan Horse, or any sorts of malware. WormBlaster provides the end-user with a friendly GUI interface, a qualitatively new level of protection for your PC through the optimal combination of traditional antivirus technology and modern proactive methods for USB Threats. Products easy to install and configure, they provide a greater opportunity to adapt the work under the individual needs of users. Programs differ not only integrate seamlessly with the family of operating systems Microsoft Windows, but compatibility with other software to protect personal computers.
13) Corbitek AntimalwareCorbitek Antimalware is a security solution designed from the ground-up with user satisfaction in mind, using the latest technologies for malware detection and disinfection. You can use Corbitek Antimalware for detecting viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, adware, rootkits and backdoors, as well as new, unknown malware thanks to its advanced heuristic module. Apart from autoupdate, real-Time and On-Demand scanning, it has advanced disinfection module, advanced Heuristics module capable of detecting zero-day threats and low on system resources. Its still in beta stage, may be by Jan 2011 it will have a final release candidate.
14) Norton Power EraserThere are some threats that impersonate legitimate programs, modify browsers or the boot screen graphics, and even redirect traffic. Our standard scanners necessarily have a delicate balance between effective malware detection and removal and erroneously removing legitimate files. Sometimes, these "scareware" programs can require special tactics to remove them. With the Norton Power Eraser tool, these threats (and others) are specifically targeted, and thus are effectively detected and removed. Users should use the Norton Power Eraser utility when nothing else will remove an annoying software and they are are willing to accept a higher risk that the scanner may quarantine a legitimate application. Because the Norton Power Eraser uses aggressive methods to detect these threats, there is a risk that it can select some legitimate programs for removal. You should use this tool very carefully, and only after you have exhausted other options.
For the subscribers and fans of this site, visit the Facebook page and add it to your favourites.
To subscribe, add your e-mail here and remember to activate the confirmation link sent to your inbox