The 5 Best Adware Removal Tools (2023 Update)

Summary

Norton has the best device, privacy, and identity protection. It has all the security features you need and a great price too.

• Malware protection: 100%. Norton averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Norton averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. It does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 100%. Norton offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 95%. Norton offers better value for money than all competitors, except for Kaspersky, which is slightly cheaper.

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Summary

Bitdefender offers excellent protection and bonus features. However, it’s pricey if you want the VPN and password manager.

• Malware protection: 95%. Bitdefender averaged 5.95 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Bitdefender averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. It does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 95%. It offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, parental controls, and more. But the VPN and password manager cost extra.
• Price: 75%. If you only want the antivirus, Bitdefender offers great value. But if you want all features, Norton offers a better deal.

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Summary

McAfee offers excellent device, privacy, and identity protection. However, some features are only available in the USA.

• Malware protection: 100%. McAfee averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 85%. McAfee averaged 5.85 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it has a minimal impact on your PC’s speed.
• Features: 100%. McAfee offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 95%. McAfee offers better value for money than most competitors, except Kaspersky, which is slightly cheaper.

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Summary

Panda offers excellent protection and has flexible pricing. However, it’s expensive if you want the unlimited VPN.

• Malware protection: 99%. Panda averaged 99.9% in the malware protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 99%. Panda averaged 99% in the performance tests. So it has almost no impact on your PC’s speed.
• Features: 100%. Panda offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 75%. Panda offers the most flexible pricing of all brands. But, if you want all the security features, Norton is more affordable.

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Summary

Kaspersky has excellent protection at a low price. But the war in Ukraine raises concerns about its ties to the Russian government.

• Malware protection: 100%. Kaspersky averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. Kasperksy averaged 6 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it does not slow down your PC.
• Features: 100%. Kaspersky has anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, unlimited VPN, password manager, parental controls, and more.
• Price: 100%. Kaspersky Plus is the most affordable way to protect a Windows PC with all essential features, including an unlimited VPN.

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Antivirus software buying guide

Below we cover a range of topics:

• What is antivirus software?
• How does antivirus software work?
• What’s the difference between antivirus and adware removal tools?
• How do we test antivirus software?
• How to choose the best antivirus software?
• What cyber threats can antivirus protect you from?
• What cyber threats can antivirus not protect you from?
• What antivirus software have we tested?

Clicks the links to be taken to the one of your choice:

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software, an indispensable tool for the digital age, is a program designed to protect your computer or network from malicious software known as ‘malware’. This broad umbrella term ‘malware’ encompasses various threats including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and adware.

Adware, short for advertising-supported software, is a form of malware that bombards you with unwanted advertisements and can seriously hinder your online experience. Comprehensive antivirus software doesn’t just detect and quarantine these threats; it also removes them, including pesky adware, keeping your digital environment clean and your data safe.

In conclusion, antivirus software incorporates adware removal tools.

For more, read our blog post on what antivirus software is.

How does antivirus software work?

Antivirus software employs several methods to identify and neutralize threats. Its approach combines signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, and behavior-based detection.

Signature-based detection

Signature-based detection, the cornerstone of traditional antivirus solutions, works much like a criminal fingerprint database. Each piece of malware has unique code known as a ‘signature’. Antivirus software maintains a vast database of these signatures and continuously scans your computer for any match. When it finds a file with a matching signature, it flags it as malware.

However, this method’s limitation is that it can only detect known malware whose signatures exist in the database.

Heuristic analysis

To compensate for the limitations of signature-based detection, antivirus software uses heuristic analysis. This method identifies malware by examining the structure and behavior of suspicious files rather than looking for a specific signature. It uses algorithms to analyze the attributes and code patterns of known malware types and applies this knowledge to detect new, unknown malware or variants of existing malware.

However, heuristic analysis can sometimes lead to false positives where legitimate files are flagged as malware.

Behavior-based detection

Behavior-based detection, also known as behavioral monitoring, observes the behavior of applications in real-time. Instead of relying on malware signatures or analyzing code, it checks for suspicious behavior, such as unauthorized attempts to access sensitive data or modify system files.

This method helps detect zero-day threats—new, previously unidentified malware that traditional signature-based methods might miss. However, like heuristic analysis, it can sometimes result in false positives.

For more, read our blog post on how antivirus software works.

What’s the difference between antivirus and adware removal tools?

Antivirus software is a comprehensive security solution designed to safeguard your digital environment from a plethora of cyber threats. These include but are not limited to viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, spyware, and adware.

It uses multiple detection methods, such as signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, and behavior-based detection, to identify, isolate, and eliminate these threats. Antivirus software is often characterized by its holistic approach to system protection.

On the other hand, adware removal tools, as their name implies, are specialized programs that primarily focus on identifying and eradicating adware. Adware is a type of malware that inundates users with unwanted advertisements, often slowing down system performance and compromising user privacy.

However, it’s essential to understand that adware removal is not an isolated concept. Instead, it’s a key component of the wider toolkit that antivirus software brings to the table. While an adware removal tool might excel in dealing with its specific type of threat, it falls short of providing the all-encompassing protection offered by antivirus software.

In other words, think of antivirus software as a Swiss Army knife with tools for tackling a wide range of malware types, including adware. In contrast, an adware removal tool would represent just one tool within that multipurpose gadget — highly effective for its designated task but lacking the broader utility.

For most users, a robust antivirus software that includes adware removal in its suite of protective measures offers the most comprehensive defense against the diverse threats found in today’s digital landscape.

For more, read our blog post on whether Windows 11 needs antivirus.

How do we test antivirus software?

Testing antivirus software is an intricate process that involves examining six key components, each with different weightage:

• Anti-malware protection (30%)
• Security and privacy features (30%)
• Speed impact (10%)
• False positives (10%)
• Price (10%)
• Ownership and reputation (10%)

Each of these components plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive protection to the user. Our evaluation process is designed to ensure that the software you choose offers an optimal balance of protection, speed, value, and reliability.

Anti-malware protection (30%)

The robustness of an antivirus program’s anti-malware protection is arguably its most essential characteristic. As such, this feature carries the most weight in our evaluation. Our testing process for this component is twofold: we conduct in-house tests and scrutinize the findings of reputable third-party labs, such as AV-Test.

In-house testing

Our in-house testing involves subjecting a test computer to hundreds of unique malware samples through a USB drive. The aim is to gauge the proficiency of the software’s malware scanner in detecting and neutralizing these threats.

But, we don’t stop there. We also simulate real-world malware attacks by executing malware files and initiating ransomware attacks. This tests the antivirus software’s real-time protection capabilities—how effectively it can thwart these invasions and safeguard the system.

AV-Test results

While our in-house testing is comprehensive, we supplement our results with data from AV-Test, a highly respected independent lab renowned for their rigorous antivirus software evaluations.

We meticulously analyze their protection test results for Windows, Mac, and Android platforms. Their ratings provide valuable insights into how the software performs under different operating systems, making our evaluations more comprehensive and reliable.

Our combined approach ensures that our anti-malware protection scores are both thorough and impartial, giving you confidence in the antivirus software’s ability to defend your system.

Security and privacy features (30%)

The range and efficacy of security and privacy features that an antivirus software offers are critical factors in our evaluations, accounting for 30% of our test score. We assess these features individually, ensuring each contributes to an all-rounded protection suite.

Web protection (anti-phishing)

Web protection safeguards users from harmful websites and phishing attacks, which aim to steal sensitive information by masquerading as trustworthy entities. We test this feature by accessing known malicious and phishing websites to see whether the software correctly identifies and blocks them.

Firewall

A firewall monitors network traffic, providing a barrier between your computer and potential threats from the internet. We evaluate the firewall’s performance by attempting to connect to the test computer through various ports. The more intrusions the firewall prevents, the higher its score.

Password manager

Password managers securely store and auto-fill your passwords, offering enhanced convenience and security. We assess this feature’s efficacy by testing its storage capacity, encryption strength, and ease of use across various websites.

Virtual private network (VPN)

VPNs encrypt your internet connection, enhancing online privacy. We test VPNs for speed, location masking, and data leakage to ensure they provide reliable and effective protection.

Parental controls

Parental controls help parents restrict or monitor their children’s online activities. We assess these by testing their filtering capabilities, time control features, and ease of customization.

Identity theft protection

This feature monitors the internet for the unauthorized use of your personal information. We evaluate its performance by checking its monitoring coverage, alert promptness, and recovery support.

Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)

Secure cloud storage safeguards your data by backing it up to the cloud. We evaluate its performance based on storage capacity, backup speed, security, and ease of data recovery.

Anti-ransomware

Anti-ransomware features protect your data from ransomware attacks, which lock your files until a ransom is paid. We test this feature by simulating ransomware attacks on the test system and evaluating the software’s ability to prevent them.

Dark web monitoring

Dark web monitoring scans the dark web for your personal information that might be sold by hackers. We evaluate this feature based on its monitoring range, alert system, and the guidance provided for damage control.

Testing each feature in detail ensures that the antivirus software you choose offers comprehensive protection and privacy in the face of various online threats.

Bonus features

An antivirus program can come with various entry-level functions, such as spam filters and secure browsers, and premium options like online storage with enhanced security. We consider the following bonus features worthy of your consideration:

• Ad Blocker
• Anti-theft
• Email protection
• File encryption
• File shredder
• Gaming mode
• Microphone protection
• PC maintenance features
• Secure browser (hardened browser to protect your online banking)
• Spam filter
• Startup optimizer
• Tune up tools
• Virtual keyboard
• Webcam protection

Speed impact (10%)

A vital aspect of our testing revolves around the impact of antivirus software on system performance, making up 10% of our evaluation. While robust security is a priority, we believe it shouldn’t come at the expense of your device’s speed or efficiency.

To guide our analysis, we rely on AV-Test’s performance tests. These tests measure how the software affects the speed of common computer operations like downloading and installing applications, copying files, or browsing websites. A lower impact on system performance corresponds to a higher score in our testing.

False positives (10%)

False positives, instances where the software incorrectly identifies benign files or websites as threats, can cause unnecessary interruptions and anxiety for the user. Accounting for 10% of our evaluation, we use AV-Test’s usability tests to guide our analysis.

These tests measure the frequency of false alarms produced during the installation and use of legitimate software, and while visiting websites. The fewer false positives an antivirus software generates, the better it scores in our testing.

Price (10%)

When it comes to antivirus software, value for money is a significant consideration. This category, contributing 10% to our evaluation, focuses on the cost of the software relative to its feature set and performance.

We take into account that many antivirus companies offer attractive discounts for the first year, but these prices often increase significantly in the second year. We’re looking for products that deliver excellent protection and features at a fair and sustainable price.

Ownership and reputation (10%)

Ownership and reputation of the antivirus brand make up 10% of our evaluation. Trust is essential in the cybersecurity field. Not all companies have operated with the same level of integrity or respect for user privacy. For instance, the Avast scandal—where the company was found to be selling user data through a subsidiary named Jumpshot—served as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance.

We delve into the background of each company, its past controversies, and its current standing in the industry. Companies with strong ethical track records and robust transparency measures score higher in this category.

For more, read our blog post on how we test antivirus software.

How to choose the best antivirus software?

Selecting the ideal antivirus software requires careful consideration of multiple factors. It’s essential to balance various elements, such as malware protection efficacy, update frequency, range of security features, performance impact, quality of customer support, and pricing, to meet your specific needs.

Reliable protection from malware

The primary purpose of antivirus software is to protect your devices from malware attacks. Look for a product that consistently scores high on independent antivirus testing platforms such as AV-Test or AV-Comparatives. The software should be effective against a variety of threats, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware.

Security updates

Frequent security updates are crucial as new malware threats emerge daily. The best antivirus software providers regularly update their malware database and release patches to keep their users safe from the latest threats. Automatic updates can offer peace of mind that your defenses are always up-to-date.

Security features

Consider the range of security features on offer. Along with basic antivirus protection, look for features like anti-phishing, firewall, VPN, password manager, and parental controls. More comprehensive suites may also include identity theft protection, secure cloud backup, and dark web monitoring. However, be sure these additional features provide value to you, as they often come with a higher price tag.

Performance impact

Even the most robust antivirus protection should not significantly hinder your device’s performance. Review performance scores from independent testing labs and customer reviews to get a sense of the software’s impact on system speed. Ideal software provides top-tier protection without slowing down your device.

Customer support

Good customer support can be crucial, especially when you encounter issues or need guidance. Look for companies that offer 24/7 support through multiple channels, including live chat, email, phone, and extensive online resources like FAQs and troubleshooting guides.

First-year and second price

While first-year discounts can be attractive, consider the renewal price as well. Some antivirus solutions can become quite expensive after the initial discounted period. Seek out software that offers good value for money both in the first year and in the years to follow, without compromising on protection quality and feature set. Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective if it doesn’t meet your security needs.

Operating system

If you have a specific operating system that you would like to protect, we probably have a dedicated antivirus comparison for it:

• The best antivirus of 2023 – For all OS.
• The best antivirus for Windows 11 – For Microsoft’s latest desktop OS.
• The best antivirus for macOS – For Apple’s desktop OS.
• The best antivirus for Android – For Google’s mobile OS.
• The best antivirus for iPhone – For Apple’s mobile OS.
• The best antivirus with a VPN – For both security and privacy.
• The best VPN providers – For a dedicated privacy solution.

Click the links to be taken to your comparison of choice.

What cyber threats can antivirus protect you from?

Antivirus software offers robust defenses against a broad spectrum of cyber threats. While it may not offer absolute protection, a well-rounded antivirus can significantly lower the risk of falling victim to various forms of malicious software and cyber attacks. Here are some key threats that a good antivirus can shield you from:

Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is a broad term encompassing all harmful or intrusive software, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and others. It is designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.

For more, read our blog post on malware or malware examples.

Adware

Adware refers to software that displays unwanted advertisements on your computer. While not always harmful, adware can be intrusive, affect system performance, and sometimes serve as a conduit for more malicious software.

For more, read our blog post on adware or adware examples.

Botnets

A botnet is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled without the owners’ knowledge. Botnets can be used to conduct various nefarious activities, including launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, stealing data, and sending spam.

For more, read our blog post on botnets or botnet examples.

Keyloggers

Keyloggers are a type of monitoring software designed to record the keystrokes made on a computer, usually without the user’s knowledge. This data can be used to steal sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and credit card details.

For more, read our blog post on keyloggers or keylogger types.

Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts files on a victim’s computer, rendering them inaccessible. The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data upon payment.

For more, read our blog post on ransomware or ransomware examples.

Rootkits

Rootkits are a type of stealthy software, often malicious, designed to hide the existence of certain processes or programs from regular detection methods, giving a third party unauthorized control over a system.

For more, read our blog post on rootkits or rootkit examples.

Spyware

Spyware is software that gathers information about a person or organization without their knowledge, that may send such information to another entity without the user’s consent, or asserts control over a device without the consumer’s knowledge.

For more, read our blog post on spyware or spyware examples.

Trojans

Trojans are a type of malicious software that misrepresents itself to appear useful, routine, or interesting to persuade a victim to install it. A Trojan will perform actions that include data theft, damaging the host computer, or creating a backdoor for remote control.

For more, read our blog post on trojans or trojan examples.

Viruses

A computer virus is a type of malicious software that, when executed, replicates by reproducing itself or infecting other programs by modifying them. Viruses can cause detrimental effects, including damaging the system software or deleting files.

For more, read our blog post on viruses or virus examples.

Worms

Worms are a type of malware that spreads copies of itself from computer to computer. It can replicate itself without any human interaction and doesn’t need to attach itself to a software program to cause damage. Worms can consume bandwidth or overload a system’s resources, causing it to become unresponsive or slow.

For more, read our blog post on worms or worm examples.

What cyber threats can antivirus not protect you from?

While a robust antivirus solution offers significant protection against a range of cyber threats, it’s essential to recognize its limitations. There are certain types of threats that even the best antivirus software might struggle to guard against. These include social engineering attacks, zero-day exploits, and certain types of phishing and online scams.

Phishing

Phishing refers to fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

While some antivirus solutions offer anti-phishing tools, they cannot guarantee complete protection because phishing techniques evolve rapidly, often bypassing traditional detection methods. User vigilance plays a key role in detecting and avoiding these scams.

For more, read our blog post on phishing or phishing examples.

Online Scams

Online scams are deceptive strategies used on the internet to defraud users. They range from advanced fee frauds, fake lotteries and prizes, to romance scams and fraudulent online marketplaces.

Antivirus software might not be able to protect you against all types of online scams as they often involve deception and manipulation that don’t necessarily involve malicious software.

For more, read our blog post on online scams.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is a method of tricking people into revealing confidential information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by manipulating their natural tendency to trust others.

Social engineering attacks can be very sophisticated, often involving human interaction and psychological manipulation, making them hard for antivirus software to detect and prevent.

For more, read our blog post on social engineering.

Zero-Day Exploits

Zero-day exploits are cyber attacks that occur on the same day a weakness is discovered in software. At this point, it’s called a zero-day vulnerability. Until the vulnerability is patched, hackers can exploit it to adversely affect programs, data, additional computers or a network.

Antivirus software may struggle to protect against these threats, as by definition, they exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities for which no specific defenses have been developed yet.

For more, read our blog post on zero-day exploits.

What antivirus software have we tested?

We have tested 28 antivirus brands, ranging from entry-level free antivirus programs, to mid-range paid antivirus software and full-featured internet security suites.

As a rule of thumb, even the best free malware removal programs, like Avast One, cannot compete with the comprehensive malware protection offered by paid solutions, like Norton 360 Deluxe or Bitdefender Total Protection. Both are incredibly capable against adware and unwanted programs thanks to their advanced features and excellent adware removal capabilities.

Should you want a free adware remover, that is capable of both blocking adware and removing adware, we recommend sticking with Microsoft Defender (the free antivirus protection software that comes with Windows). However, this will be less effective against malware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) than the top adware removal tools, Norton and Bitdefender.

Below is the list of the 20 most important brands:

• Avast
• AVG
• Avira
• Bitdefender Antivirus
• ESET
• F-Secure
• Intego
• Kaspersky
• MacKeeper
• Malwarebytes
• McAfee Antivirus
• Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender)
• Norton Antivirus
• Panda
• PC Matic
• Sophos
• TotalAV
• Trend Micro
• VIPRE
• Webroot

The best antivirus programs are Norton 360 Deluxe, Norton 360 Advanced, and Bitdefender Total Security. By comparison, the other antivirus software cost too much, offer less capable protection from malware threats, or have no unlimited VPN access.