Fortunately, some antivirus programs have excellent anti-ransomware capabilities included in them.
I tested all of the top antivirus programs in 2025to find the best anti-ransomware software on the market.
This is important because fixing the damage ransomware causes is very hard.
My full scan only took about 40 minutes, which is a lot faster than any of its competitors.
Norton has special tools for preventing ransomware from encrypting your files.
The fact that Norton offers cloud back-up adds yet another level of protection.
Norton has several plans to choose from, and even the priciest is still pretty affordable.
Bottom Line:
Norton is my favorite anti-ransomware software in 2025 for a lot of reasons.
Its malware scanner is flawless, using advanced AI to defeat even complex zero-day threats.
Its plans also offer a lot of extra features while still being more affordable than some competitors.
Its great for low-end devices that still need strong ransomware protection.
Bitdefenders cloud-based malware scanner is one of the best in the industry.
Its real-time protection is also market-leading, able to block every incoming threat I tested it against.
All purchases are backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
TotalAVs other security features are pretty good, too.
Its real-time protection is just as good as the best, and it has decent anti-phishing protection.
TotalAVPremiumis a great entry-level antivirus that only costs IDR322,140 / year.
All of TotalAVs plans come backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
TotalAV has great security and offers the best user experience, especially for beginners.
If youre looking for reliable ransomware protection but have never used an antivirus before, its an excellent choice.
All TotalAV plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
McAfees large array of extra features includes:
The security features work great across the board.
McAfees real-time protection is flawless, and its web protection is among the best I tried.
I especially like its WebAdvisor extension, which is available for free for Windows and Mac users.
However, it doesnt really have any customization options.
The most expensiveUltimatepackage costs IDR3,390,680 / year and includes up to $25,000 in ransomware coverage.
All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
McAfee is a leading antivirus suite with really good family plans.
Intego also has excellent system backup features.
The NetBarrier firewall keeps your gadget secure by monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic and blocking unauthorized connections.
Its web protections are excellent, and it has some of the best parental controls on the market.
Integos plans are a bit pricey, but there just arent any other Mac antiviruses that can compete.
Intego is one of the few antiviruses that builds on Macs already solid antivirus.
Its malware scanner caught 100% of the ransomware (and trojans, viruses, rootkits, etc.)
on my gadget, making it the best antivirus Ive ever tested for Mac.
you might try it out for yourself, risk-free.
Its actually so good that it licenses out its engine to some of its main competitors, includingTotalAV.
Aviras extra features are pretty good, but they have some flaws that hold them back.
The real reason Avira makes my list is that it hasa really good free plan.
Avira offers a lightweight scanner with a 100% ransomware detection rate.
It also has the best free version of any antivirus on my list, which includes ransomware protection.
That said, where Panda falls short is in its extra features.
Panda also has its own file encryption system, which can safeguard data against prying eyes.
But while there are some issues, Panda is definitely good and has flexible pricing options.
It offers a decent free plan with a scanner and real-time protection and 4 customizable premium plans.
Panda Domes malware scanner is particularly good at fighting ransomware.
It removed 100% of the ransomware samples on my machine.
It also comes with a firewall, a VPN, and excellent real-time protection.
Typically, attackers demand payment in cryptocurrency to avoid traceability.
How does an antivirus protect against ransomware?
Antiviruses likeNortondetect and block malicious files before they execute on a equipment.
What do I do if my unit has ransomware?
Scan your unit with a reliable antivirus likeNortonorBitdefenderimmediately.
To prevent the malware from spreading, disconnect the unit from the internet and any web connection connections.
Contact a cybersecurity professional or utilize a reputable decryption tool to attempt to recover your files.
The best course of action is to refrain from paying the ransom and seek alternative solutions.
Under no circumstances should you use any disreputable antivirus, as it could make the problem much worse.
Is a free antivirus good enough to protect against ransomware?
For tackling ransomware, Id always recommend a premium antivirusover a free one.
Free antivirus software may lack advanced features like real-time protection, automatic updates, and customer support.
A lot of illegitimate companies will also release free antivirus tools that actually cause harm to users devices.
Quick Overview of My Top Recommendations:
