The best antivirus programs can fix a computer that has been infected and get it running again like nothing happened.
Even with every precaution we take when using computers or browsing the internet, we are all vulnerable to potential attacks. And the malware that infects computers is becoming more sophisticated and powerful every day.
The development of these malicious programs is the responsibility of various attack groups around the world, whose primary aim is often to steal our stored personal data. These attacks can affect our devices to varying degrees and may even completely prevent the computer from functioning.
This is undoubtedly a concern for most users, whether at home or at work. When faced with this frustrating situation, it's crucial to resolve it as quickly as possible, and we have several solutions available. In this article, we'll focus on a selection of lifesaving antivirus programs that are invaluable if your computer is unable to start due to a malware infection.
What are rescue antivirus programs?
This is far more common than we'd like, and it becomes a serious problem for computers. We're talking about security solutions that allow us to boot an infected computer and remove the malicious code preventing it from starting up. Many antivirus programs, also known as rescue programs, are available on the market that we can use in such cases.
The first thing to know is that these are highly effective security solutions, as they start working from an external storage device before the system even boots up. This offers several advantages because they load into memory before the main system starts. Furthermore, it's important to remember that these security solutions are not installed on the computer; they are only activated when needed.
These solutions use external storage devices, such as USB flash drives, and therefore have boot capabilities. They operate independently of the operating system and are typically based on a Linux distribution. So, all you need to do is turn on your computer with the external drive connected, and then boot from it.
Next, the appropriate user interface appears, depending on the type of ransomware selected. These tools typically include utilities for scanning and cleaning the boot sector, as well as computer files and folders. This is all done to eliminate any traces of malware that may have been added to the computer's various drives and are preventing access to them.
Free antivirus rescue programs you can use now
For this reason, we will present some of the best solutions of this type for fixing computer startup problems. These are long-established antivirus rescue programs that have evolved and improved significantly over the years.
- AVG Rescue CD
This disc is an excellent antivirus program, available in two versions: one for direct use and the other for use from a USB drive. Although its main interface is somewhat dated, it performs its function very efficiently in removing all traces of malware from your computer. It also updates automatically to provide the latest malware database.
- Avira Rescue System
We can also use this ISO image, which offers a very simple graphical interface with limited customization options. Its best feature is the default search and cleaning engine, which can be downloaded from its official website, where they also provide assistance with this process.
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk
This is another security solution from the reputable Kaspersky company, and it will be extremely useful for these tasks. Initially, you simply need to download the appropriate ISO image from this link to directly access all its functions. It also features a very simple user interface, but this does not diminish the effectiveness of its built-in tools.
- Norton Bootable Recovery Tool
As expected, Norton also offers its own antivirus software, which is very easy to use. Initially, a wizard guides us through the process of restoring the infected computer. In this case, we have a simple yet highly effective graphical interface, and all its functions are accessible from here.