Best Ransomware Protection

Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes started as a tool to help people remove malware from their computers. Later, it evolved to offer more than just anti-malware solutions. Today, this program can provide effective, AI-based cyber protection and is known as one of the best anti-ransomware software out there, available for multiple platforms.

Bitdefender

Bitdefender is a global leader in cyber security. The company protects over one billion users and works with governments, various organizations, and enterprises in over 150 countries. Bitdefender has over 800 engineers and researchers and is among the most innovative IT security vendors globally.

Norton

Norton is trusted by more than 50 million customers across the globe. Its technology blocks thousands of threats each minute. Norton also continuously explores online behavior, threats, and the latest trends so it can provide one of the best security software out there.

McAfee

McAfee is a famous antivirus software, and it also provides malware, spyware, and ransomware protection. This company is another leader in online protection and is focused on customers’ needs. It’s ideal for families and works on multiple devices and operating systems.

BullGuard

BullGuard is an award-winning cyber security software with machine learning capabilities. BullGuard’s AI constantly monitors everything that happens on your device and applies real-time protection that blocks malicious behavior and acts as ransomware protection software.

Acronis

Acronis has been in business for the past 18 years, serving more than 50,000 partners and 500,000 businesses in over 150 countries. It delivers cyber protection for data, applications, and systems. The company offers antivirus, backup, end-point management solutions, and AI anti-malware tools to keep you safe.

Avast

Avast is dedicated to safety and privacy for everyone and is among the largest security companies in the world. Avast is one of the free antivirus programs and ransomware protection tools for Windows 10. Avast also utilizes next-gen technologies to fight cyber attacks in real-time.

ZoneAlarm

ZoneAlarm Extreme Security offers all-inclusive protection for Windows, Android, and iOS devices. It’s suitable for PC protection, mobile security, and businesses. The comprehensive offer or products includes many features that promise the ultimate online protection.

Malwarebytes

Overview 

Malwarebytes is among the best ransomware protection tools of 2021, available for business and personal use. This cyber security company has several offices worldwide and is dedicated to introducing innovative and effective solutions to its users. This software is available for multiple devices with different operating systems. 

Pricing Plans & Features 

Malwarebytes has two packages for personal and business use. When it comes to personal packages and their pricing plans, you can download the software for free and enjoy a 14-day free trial. After that, you can choose from three options: 

• Premium one device – $3.33/mo
• Premium five devices – $6.67/mo
• Premium + Privacy for five devices – $8.33/mo 

Premium plans come with the following features: 

• Real-time threat prevention 
• Ransomware crush
• Harmful site defense
• Malware cleanup and removal 

The Premium + Privacy package of this ransomware prevention software has all these features, plus VPN services. There’s also Malwarebytes Essential plan that starts with $5 per month and provides four times faster browsing and improved online privacy. 

On the other hand, the business pricing plans depend on the number of devices you’d like to secure. 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

Malwarebytes can find threats that other antivirus software miss. The Premium tool removes malware, viruses, and other threats from your devices and prevents attacks in real-time. 

Another reason Malwarebytes is among the best computer protection programs is that it doesn’t slow down your device but still provides continuous protection against threats. You’ll still enjoy excellent device performance, only without spam notifications. 

Malwarebytes is compatible with: 

• Windows
• Mac
• Android
• Chrome
• iOS

Customer Support 

You’ll find the dedicated Support section on the official Malwarebytes website. There, you can access help pages that will answer the most common questions you might have depending on your OS and device. According to the most recent reviews, users are generally satisfied with their purchases. 

Our Verdict 

Being one of the best ransomware protection software in 2021, Malwarebytes offers a solid list of protection tools for personal and business use. Its programs don’t affect the device’s performance and keep you protected at all times. 

It’s also affordable, considering the comprehensive protection it offers. Malwarebytes is highly ranked by AV-Comparatives, PC Mag, and similar industry experts and independent labs and is definitely worth considering as a ransomware protection tool.

Bitdefender

Overview

Bitdefender is a famous global cyber security company and is among the best ransomware protection programs available for home, business, and other use. Bitdefender eliminates online threats, increases privacy protection, and offers the best anti-malware and IoT security. Bitdefender’s products are available in 170 countries. 

Pricing Plans & Features

Bitdefender has a complex offer of products, divided based on the operating system they’re supposed to protect. The three basic solutions include: 

• Total Security – $36/year

This is the most comprehensive solution available for five devices, and it includes device security, privacy protection, and performance. 

• Internet Security – $32/year

This best anti-ransomware software is available for three devices and offers the same coverage, minus anti-theft and speed up the device features. 

• Antivirus Plus – $23.99/year 

The final plan includes the same coverage as the first two, minus anti-theft, antispam, privacy firewall, VPN, webcam protection, microphone monitor, file encryption, and parental control. This plan is available for three devices. 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

The Antivirus Plus package is a standard protection suite that works well against malware, adware, web attacks, and ransomware. If you’re looking for the best ransomware protection tool, know that even the most affordable Bitdefender solution can provide what you need. Still, this package is available only for Windows. 

If you need to secure multiple devices, you should go with the Total Security plan, that’s supported on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms. This plan is also packed with more features than the Antivirus Plus one. 

Customer Support

Bitdefender support is available separately for home and business products. You’ll find a knowledge base section on the official website. Bitdefender also offers live chat, email, and phone support, as well as help from industry experts. However, the company charges for the latter. 

Our Verdict

If you’re looking for the best protection from ransomware, Bitdefender is definitely worth considering. It has several awards and certifications from PC Mag, AV-Test, and AV-Comparatives. However, you might become confused while exploring all features the company has to offer. 

The good thing is that you can purchase its plans in 170 countries and stay protected without the software slowing down your devices.

Norton

Overview

Norton is another famous antivirus company that offers some of the best antivirus tools for ransomware. It offers multiple packages related to device security and online privacy. This is an award-winning antivirus and Norton company continuously works on improving its services and offering new solutions. 

Pricing Plans & Features

You can test out Norton Antivirus for free for the duration of seven days. After that, you’ll have to purchase one of the following plans: 

Norton Antivirus Plus – $9.99/year

Protects one PC or Mac and includes the following features of this best ransomware protection tool: 

• Real-time threat protection
• Password manager
• 100% Virus protection
• 2GB cloud backup 

• Norton 360 Deluxe – $24.99/year 

This package protects up to five devices and includes all the features of Antivirus Plus, and more: 

• 50GB cloud backup
• Secure VPN
• Dark web monitoring
• SafeCam 
• Parental control
• Privacy monitor
• School time 

• Norton 360 Premium I – $39.99/year

This package includes the same features as 360 Deluxe, with 100GB cloud backup. 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

Being among the best ransomware protection tools for Mac and other devices, Norton is packed with many features. Still, the essential ones are antivirus, malware protection, and privacy monitoring. 

With Norton’s award-winning antivirus and malware protection software, you’ll enjoy intrusion prevention, behavioral protection, antivirus machine learning, and more. 

Privacy monitoring features will also protect your sensitive data, like date of birth, phone number, or address. 

Norton is available for: 

• Windows
• Mac
• iOS
• Android

Customer Support

Norton has a dedicated Support section on the website where you’ll find extensive information about the most common issues as well as info on how to reach out to support. Still, according to the latest customer reviews, the support is decent, but the company could be more transparent about prices. 

Our Verdict

If you’re looking for the best ransomware protection for Mac, Norton can definitely protect you from various threats, including ransomware. The company is dedicated to providing cyber security services to all. As a result, you’ll enjoy ransomware protection and powerful antivirus features at an affordable price. 

One of Norton’s downsides is that the company might charge you additionally even after you try to cancel the subscription. The customer support could also slightly improve.

McAfee

Overview

McAfee is on our list of the best ransomware protection software because it offers the ultimate antivirus, identity, and privacy protection across all devices. At the moment, this software protects over 500 million devices, and its powerful tools discover 480 threats each minute. 

Pricing Plans & Features

McAfee provides several solutions to keep you safe online, and the most comprehensive one is McAfee Total Protection. The cost of your subscription depends on the number of devices, and it goes as follows: 

• One device, one year – €24.95
• One device, two years – €24.97

Five devices, two years – €32.47

• 10 devices, two years – €39.97

This package includes premium antivirus, safe web browsing, PC optimization, password manager, and VPN. You can test McAfee for free during a 30-day free trial. 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

This ransomware protection software is ideal for families since it can help you filter spam, encrypt sensitive files, and secure identity. McAfee Total Protection offers comprehensive online security, multi-faceted privacy protection, and secure Wi-Fi. 

The privacy protection feature serves to delete your digital footprint so that your identity stays safe. With McAfee’s VPN feature, you’ll also enjoy secure browsing regardless of the network you connect to. 

McAfee is available for: 

• Windows
• Mac
• Android 
• iOs

Customer Support

If you face issues with this software, you’ll find the Support section on the official website. There, you can look for help regarding common topics or contact support via social media or chat. Customer reviews are generally positive. 

Our Verdict

We listed McAfee as the best protection against ransomware since it’s a well-known cyber security company dedicated to providing excellent service. Its offers are packed with features. In October 2020, AV-Comparatives assigned ADVANCED+ rating to McAfee, and AV-Test ranked it as the TOP product for Windows security in August 2020. 

Based on these, and many other ratings, McAfee appears to be among the best solutions to keep ransomware away from your devices.

BullGuard

Overview

BullGuard is another ransomware prevention software that utilizes almost 20 years of industry experience to offer superior protection for multiple devices. In addition, this antivirus company released the world’s first IoT vulnerability scanner, Real-Time Network scanner, and Game Booster features, showing leadership in cyber security innovation.

Pricing Plans & Features

There are three packages available, and you can test them out with free trials. The Internet Security and Premium Protection trial lasts for 30 days, while the BullGuard Antivirus trial is 15 days. 

After your free trial ends, you’ll be prompted to make a purchase. These are the pricing plans: 

• Antivirus – one device, one year, €29.99
• Internet Security – one year, three devices, €35.99
• Premium Protection – one year, 10 devices, €36

Premium Protection offers all the features and the best computer protection.

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

Dynamic machine learning provides multiple layers of protection against various malware, including ransomware. It continuously monitors everything that happens on the devices, provides real-time protection, and blocks attacks before they happen. 

Another feature that makes BullGuard stand out is the multi-layered protection. This cloud detection technology works even without the manual scan. 

Finally, the firewall acts as a heavy-duty layer of protection against malware. It provides end-to-end protection before, during, and after downloading applications. This feature makes BullGuard one of the best ransomware protection tools for Windows 10.

BullGuard is available for: 

• Windows
• Apple
• Android

Customer Support

BullGuard gives you access to Help Centre, Product Guides, and Forum. There, you will find answers to the most common questions. When it comes to customer support, you can contact the reps via chat. Customer reviews are generally positive, with few complaints regarding additional charges. 

Our Verdict

With 19 years in the industry, you can’t go wrong with selecting this software. BullGuard is among the best protection from ransomware you can think of. It offers a solid list of tools to keep you safe online. BullGuard is suitable for businesses and home use, and you can even start using it on your mobile for free. 

Still, its tools are geared towards Windows and Android users. If you’re looking for antivirus and anti-ransomware programs for iOS or Mac devices, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Acronis

Overview

Acronis is one of the best ransomware protection for small business and homeowners. It offers a complex list of cyber protection products that protect your digital wellbeing. Each of its products is packed with various features that are powerful enough to prevent any cyber attack at any moment. 

Pricing Plans & Features

Since Acronis has separate products for service providers, businesses, and home and office users, we’ll focus only on the latter, which is Acronis True Image. 

If you want to see how powerful True Image is, you can start a 30-day free trial and enjoy 1 TB Acronis Cloud, system scan, files and folders backup, and more. If you’re happy with Acronis, you can purchase a plan for $49.99 and have the full package of Acronis ransomware protection features that include: 

• Full image backups
• Active disk cloning
• All-in-one recovery drive
• Microsoft 365 backup 
• File and folder backup
• File sync and share, etc 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

Even though Acronis is more suitable for business owners, home users can benefit from its features as well. The Acronis True Image package provides the ultimate cyber protection and anti-malware tools to protect you from various latest online threats. 

Acronis protects photos, files, apps, systems, and whole devices. It stops any threat from invading your computer, regardless of how new it is. You’ll enjoy real-time AI-powered protection, plus web filtering, and more. 

Acronis is available for: 

• Windows
• Apple 
• iOS
• Android

Customer Support

Like many other ransomware prevention software, Acronis has a dedicated Support section where you’ll find the latest updates, knowledge base, and documentation. Unfortunately, the overall customer reviews are poor, which shows that Acronis should improve its support. 

Our Verdict

Acronis is an ideal antivirus solution for businesses. However, we found that this many packages might be too much for a novel user. If you’re looking for something simpler, you should check other companies. 

If you don’t mind exploring different anti-ransomware and cyber security solutions for your business, Acronis is definitely worth considering.

Avast

Overview

Avast is another one of the best ransomware protection programs for business and home users. The best thing about Avast is that it’s free to use if you’re fine with the basic features. It offers complete protection for all your devices and keeps you safe from ransomware, viruses, Wi-Fi vulnerabilities, and other threats. 

Pricing Plans & Features

As we previously mentioned, as free antivirus software, Avast offers essential protection that’s lightweight and powerful. The free version has six layers of security and is cloud-based, which means it doesn’t slow down your device with the latest updates and downloads. 

If you want more features, you have two premium options: 

• Premium Security for Single Device – $69.99/year

It comes with complete online security and is the best ransomware protection that helps you avoid fake websites, and blocks hackers from spying on your camera.

• Premium Security Multi-Device – $89.99/year

This package has the same features, only for multiple devices. 

Finally, there’s the Ultimate package, which has the most powerful Avast tools costs $99.99/year per PC. 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

With the free Avast software, you’ll get a program packed with the largest threat-detection network, machine-learning virus protection, and home network security. 

The best thing is that Avast won’t slow down your devices. This antivirus software is easy to install and has a simple interface. The latest update brought the behavior shield, which analyzes applications and finds malware. 

Avast is available for: 

• Mac
• Android
• iOS

Customer Support

Avast is one of the best security software out there, and its customers agree. If you face any issue, you can reach out to customer support via the knowledge base page. 

Our Verdict

Avast is a known antivirus company that’s highly ranked for its features and tools. We advise downloading the free version of this software since it’s enough to keep your devices protected from ransomware and other malware. 

However, even though it’s an award-winning software, you might face issues with your internet connection while using it. For example, Avast might cut off your Wi-Fi, depending on the firewall settings.

ZoneAlarm

Overview

ZoneAlarm is another one of the best anti-ransomware software companies that provides enterprise-grade security to home and business users. The company claims that you’ll get the same protection that some of the largest global organizations have, like best-in-class Firewall. 

Pricing Plans & Features

ZoneAlarm’s offer is divided into three sections. When it comes to antivirus, you’ll then have three options: 

• Free antivirus
• Pro Antivirus + Firewall – five PCs, one year for $35.95
• Extreme Security – five devices, one year for $44.95

The firewall offer comes in two options, free and Pro Firewall, which costs $32.95 for five devices and a one-year subscription. 

Finally, the Anti-Ransomware solution costs $74.95 for 10 PCs and a one-year subscription. 

Essential Protection Features and OS Compatibility

If you decide to download the free ZoneAlarm antivirus options, you’ll enjoy one of the best computer protection programs and the world’s best firewall. This software can: 

• Detect and remove spyware, worms, bots, Trojan horses, and other malware
• Deploy firewall and protect your PC from hackers
• Give complete browsing protection with Chrome extension 
• Send daily credit monitoring reports, so you know your data is safe
• Offer wireless network protection
• Real-time security updates

Free version ZoneAlarm is compatible with Windows 7 and 10, Android and iOS. 

Customer Support

With ZoneAlarm, you’ll enjoy 24/7 customer support. The Support section on the official website lets you read articles or start a live chat with the team during working hours. Email requests are available at all times. At the moment of writing this review, we couldn’t find any significant customer complaints. 

Our Verdict

ZoneAlarm is on our list of the best ransomware protection programs because it offers a comprehensive solution to keep your data safe from hackers. Its security is enterprise-grade, and the company reaped several awards for the best protection against ransomware. 

ZoneAlarm claims to have the world’s best firewall protection, powerful antivirus, and the ultimate mobile app. Another great thing about it is that several of its packages are free to download but still provide enough protection against antiviruses. Still, the anti-ransomware package might be on the expensive side.