Ransomware, ransomware, ransomware! This new form of malware has earned millions of dollars for cyber-criminals. It gets into your computer system, encrypts & locks your files, and then demands money from you to unlock them. If you fail to pay up, you can kiss your data goodbye, as the malware is sure to delete all your files. Fortunately for us, there are some free anti-ransomware software available for Windows, that offer good defense and can stop ransomware.
Although most antivirus software offer anti-ransomware protection, it will do you no harm if you were to add an additional layer of protection to your Windows computer, to protect it against ransomware. Using these along with maybe an Intrusion Detection & Prevention Software is sure to go a long way in offering protection against ransomware infection. Let us take a look at some of the best free ransomware protection software.
Free Anti-Ransomware software
1] Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool
Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business offers complementary security to protect corporate users from ransomware. It identifies ransomware behavior patterns and protects Windows-based endpoints effectively.
2] RansomFree
RansomFree is a powerful tool that comes to you from a company formed by elite former military cybersecurity experts. It is designed to stop the never-before-seen type of ransomware.
3] Ransomware Interceptor
Interceptor is an early-detection tool that prevents file encryption attempts by ransomware malware. This tool leverages heuristics and machine learning to identify such malware. You can download the free tool from trellix.com.
4] BitDefender Anti-Ransomware
BitDefender Anti-Ransomware will immunize your computer. What it does is, basically it does not allow executable files from %appdata% and %startup% to run.
5] CryptoPrevent
CryptoPrevent modifies a few group policy settings to prevent executable files from running from some specific locations. CryptoPrevent can change about 200 such settings depending on the version and OS you are using. Some locations it keeps its eyes on are, Recycle Bin, default app directory, local temporary files, All Users application, and local data settings folder, and more.
6] HitmanPro.Alert
HitmanPro.Alert is a free browser integrity & intrusion detection tool that alerts users when online banking and financial transactions are no longer safe. The latest version HitmanPro.Alert also contains a new feature, called CryptoGuard, that monitors your file system for suspicious operations including CryptoLocker ransomware. When suspicious behavior is detected, the malicious code is neutralized, and your files remain safe from harm.
7] Cryptolocker Prevention Kit
Cryptolocker Prevention Kit is a tool that automates the process of making a Group Policy to disable files running from the App Data and Local App Data folders, as well as disabling executable files from running from the Temp directory of various unzipping utilities.
8] CryptoLocker Tripwire
CryptoLocker Tripwire follows a different approach. It runs on the file server. After loading your data share folders, the free tool will copy a witness file that you choose, to a hidden subfolder in each of the folders you have selected.
9] Kaspersky WindowsUnlocker
Kaspersky WindowsUnlocker can be useful if the Ransomware totally blocks access to your computer or even restrict access to select important functions, as it can clean up a ransomware-infected Registry.
10] Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware
Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware is a simple software, light in weight, capable of running in the background while quietly monitoring the behavior of the machine associated with file-encrypting ransomware. Currently, this program is in the beta stage – and free to download and use. Once it goes out of beta, it is likely that it may not remain free.
11] Vaccinator & Vulnerability Scanner Tools
Free Vaccinator & Vulnerability Scanner Tools for WannaCry Ransomware are available.
12] RansomSaver
RansomSaver is a very useful add-in for Microsoft Outlook that detects and blocks emails that have ransomware malware files attached to them.
13] AppCheck Anti-ransomware
AppCheck Anti-ransomware from CheckMal prevents, detects, and recovers damaged files from ransomware with the next-generation context awareness ransomware behavior detection engine. The free version has some limitations.
13] RansomBuster
RansomBuster is another anti-ransomware tool from Trend Micro that will help stop all forms of Ransomware attacks on your Windows computer in its tracks, by providing an additional layer of security. It does so by blocking access by an unauthorized process to your important folders.
14] RansomStopper
RansomStopper is a free anti-ransomware software that comes with patented behavioral analysis and deception techniques to prevent, detect, and ransomware attacks.
15] Acronis Ransomware Protection
Acronis Ransomware Protection offers a free version that helps your setup up protection against all kinds of ransomware attacks on your computer. Other than the precautionary measure, the tool also provides remedial measures like data recovery and backup.
There are several other steps you can take to prevent ransomware, and it is important that you know them.
Tomorrow we will take a look at what you can do if you are infected with a ransomware attack and the free Ransomware Decryptor Tools you can make use of to help you unlock your files.
You forgot to mention WinAntiRansom+ from the makers of WinPatrol which is probable better than all the ones listed above.
It is not free. The post is about free tools. :)
No GOOD anti-ransom software is free, the free ones listed above are mediocre at best. Besides Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware may be free during beta testing but I can assure you once out of beta it will not be free by any means. If one wants to make absolutely sure they are protected from Ransomware, go with a paid solution. New ransomware is created everyday.
I am inclined to disagree. There are many good tools out there which are totally free. One doesn’t HAVE to pay to be able to use a good tool. I am currently using the first one, but found that the others are good too. But then – each to his own. :)
Agree with Ed for paid choice, but seconding your opinion on free! BTW, since December 2015 HitmanPro is now a Sophos company; though I’d never had any malware for my HMP scanners to remove, thus not triggering the then-30 day period for “buy or become useless”, since December 2015 every HMP free tool insists my “trial” expired and thus only scans…no chance of removals of malware (if any) unless I pay. Still, it’s a good second-opinion scanner and even if there’s no malware it finds cookies a user might not even know are hanging around. Besides usual Emsisoft/Comodo riggings, I’m using MBAM anti-ransomeware beta; doesn’t conflict with other stuff (so far), seems to be functioning but I’ve never hit a ransomware attempt with it in the wild yet. Cheers!
The we shall agree to disagree.
There are anti-ransom software’s that protect against only known variants of ransomware, these are your free versions. Then there are those that protect against both known and unknown variants of ransomware, these are your paid versions ie: WinAntiRansom+
Therefore IMO the paid option will keep you safer.
Mr.Khanse,between Cyberfox and Firefox which one would you prefer and what add-ons of Firefox would you recommend with their best configurations?Thanks,
Hi Roar, Well that is a difficult question to answer. I suggest you try both and see which suits you. Regarding the add-ons – again it all depends on your needs and the kind of browsing you do. :) Perhaps you want to see these: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/cyberfox-browser-review and https://www.thewindowsclub.com/best-firefox-addons
Dhanyavaad. Will do the needful.
has anybody heard or seen a ransomeware that converts all files to .mp3 ? If so, how does one get rid of it ? ps It’s not on this computer !
Um, CryptoPrevent, has been best since day 1 and still is, with the USER choosing the level of protection. IN THE FREE VERSION. Saved many of my clients and still protects us all.
Hi Anand
I got infected and all my files are encrypted under this name decryptallfiles3@india.com
is there any free software or inexpensive that can decrypt my files or must I pay 300 USD ????
‘Decryptallfiles@india.com’ belongs to the Crysis Ransomware family & encrypts the victims’ files and changes their extensions to ‘.decryptallfiles@india.com.’
No known specific removal tool for it. If you do not have backups, then try RannohDecryptor from Kaspersky and see if it helps: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/list-ransomware-decryptor-tools
I have tried this software but you need back up files not infected in order to decrypt infected files.
I want all my files decrypted with their original name
do you think the hacker which wants 300 USD can do this ?
I have sent to him 5 encrypted files ( pdf, jpg, flac, mp3) because I want he proves he was able to do it but he has only decrypted the jpg file and I’m not sure what he did with the other files….
got the solution. Emsisoft decrypter for Globe 2
fortunately this virus do not encrypt folders so I can see their original name and go to the internet and re-download the same file in order to get a backup to activate this software
Great to hear that! :)
hello guys,
i currently infected by decryptallfiles3@india.com ,can you tell me specifically how to decrypt my files? i got the decryptor but have no idea to use it
Dude. Only thing this tool does is set policies and make sure you can’t run executables from %appdata%…
These things can be set really easily by your self.
So no shouting is needed, thank you.
Also Ranstop is worth a look. It is a new technology that along with detecting and blocking ransomware also protects files in real time. So in case a ransomware infection occurs, you can get your files back without paying ransom.
I see that its in Beta. Is it going to remain a free software or will it go paid?
Hi Anand, you are correct, at the moment it is a beta version which can be used for free for a period of time and also extended for free if required. We have not yet released this commercially so pricing aspects are not settled. However, we surely plan to have a completely free version of this program with limited functionality (file protection – as in “smart real-time backup”- will not be free, most probably) that will provide value to users (include reactive ransomware detection and blocking).
If you do release a free final version, let us know. :)
Absolutely, it is just a matter of when (not if) :)
Well, disabling the simple routes of all ransomware, i think is probably the most intelligent thing anyone owning a computer in this day and age could do, so whatever.
Should add Cyber Prot. Not free but almost.
Relly? What about ransomware that don’t change the filename? How are you protected against that?