Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review: Is It a Top Antivirus Contender in 2024?

#1 Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review in 2024

Emsisoft has been a player in the cybersecurity game since 2003, and I've always been curious about how it stacks up against the big names. That's why I decided to put it to the test and see what it's really made of.

In this Emsisoft Anti-Malware review, I'll take you through Emsisoft's features, performance, and overall user experience. You'll learn:

• How easy it is to buy and install Emsisoft Anti-Malware
• What the user interface looks like and how user-friendly it is
• How well it protects against various types of malware and online threats
• What additional features it offers beyond basic antivirus protection
• How it impacts your system performance

Let's examine and see what Emsisoft Anti-Malware has to offer!

In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary

If you're short on time, here's a quick overview of what I found out for this Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review:

What You'll Like:

• Fast and efficient scans
• User-friendly interface with customizable dashboard
• Effective ransomware protection
• Emergency Kit Maker for portable scanning
• Behavior blocker for real-time threat detection

What You May Not Like:

• Above-average system resource usage during scans
• Limited additional features compared to some competitors
• No built-in VPN or password manager
• Lack of parental controls

What Makes This Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review Different?

Many antivirus reviews out there feel like they're just repeating information from the product's website. But that's not my style. I believe in hands-on testing and giving you the real scoop.

For this review, I spent about two weeks using Emsisoft Anti-Malware on my personal Dell XPS laptop. I tested it thoroughly, running scans, testing its features, and even throwing some simulated threats at it to see how it would react.

Throughout this process, I captured 13 screenshots to give you a visual tour of the software. You'll find many of these screenshots sprinkled throughout this review, giving you a firsthand look at what it's like to use Emsisoft Anti-Malware.

So, buckle up and get ready for an honest, in-depth look at Emsisoft Anti-Malware based on real-world usage and testing.

Buying Emsisoft Anti-Malware

Getting your hands on Emsisoft Anti-Malware is a simple process. I opted for the home version, which is the only option available for personal use. The purchasing process was simple and user-friendly, with clear options for the number of devices and subscription duration.

One thing that caught my attention was that Emsisoft didn't offer a first-year discount, which is quite common in the antivirus world. However, they did offer a 10% discount for the second year, which I politely declined.

The checkout process was simple, consisting of just three steps: adjusting the shopping cart, entering personal details, and choosing a payment method. I appreciated the simplicity – no unnecessary upsells or complicated options to navigate.

After my payment went through, I received a confirmation page with installation instructions, followed by two separate emails – one with account information and another with installation guidelines. It's nice to have all this information readily available, especially if you're not planning to install the software immediately.

Installation

Installing Emsisoft Anti-Malware was simple. The process started with logging into the online dashboard using the credentials provided in the confirmation email. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Emsisoft had automatically created an account for me, though they did advise changing the password as soon as possible – a good security practice.

Emsisoft offers multiple installation options, including command prompt installation

From the web dashboard, I had several installation options:

• Download and run an executable installer
• Install via command prompt using an MSI package
• Copy and share an installation link
• Send download instructions by email

I went for the traditional executable installer, and I must say, it was impressively quick. The entire installation took less than 30 seconds, and I didn't encounter any options or decisions to make during the process. This no-fuss approach is great for users who just want to get up and running with minimal hassle.

Interface

Upon launching Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home, I was greeted by a clean and intuitive interface. The layout is divided into two main sections: a left sidebar and the main content area.

The main interface of Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home showcases a clean design with easy access to all features

The left sidebar contains tabs for various features:

• Overview
• Protection (Behavior blocker, File guard, and Web protection)
• Scan
• Quarantine
• Logs
• Settings
• Network lockdown
• Silent mode
• Support
• Help

The main screen displays options for the selected tab. In the Overview tab, you'll find shortcuts to protection features, scans, logs, and settings. I appreciate how the interface uses color coding to indicate the status of protection features – orange or red for issues, making it easy to spot potential problems at a glance.

One feature that stood out to me is the ability to resize the window. It's a small touch, but it shows that Emsisoft has thought about user experience. There are also two main themes to choose from: dark and bright. As someone who often works late, I appreciated the dark theme option.

For those working in multiple language environments, Emsisoft offers 19 language options, accessible from the Settings > Advanced menu. This level of customization is impressive and not something I've seen in many other antivirus solutions.

A feature that power users and network administrators will appreciate is the inclusion of a command line interface. It's not something the average user will need, but it's a nice touch for those who prefer more detailed control.

Overall, I found the interface to be user-friendly and intuitive. The tooltips for every option are particularly helpful, especially for users who might be new to antivirus software.

Major Features

It’s time to examine the capabilities of Emsisoft Anti-Malware antivirus. We’ll review its defining features and see why it might be an excellent fit for your system’s safety.

Web Protection

In today's online environment, web protection is crucial, and Emsisoft doesn't disappoint in this department. The Web Protection feature keeps a watchful eye as you browse the internet, warning you when you attempt to access potentially malicious websites.

Emsisoft's Web Protection settings allow for customization of protection levels and creation of custom rules

What impressed me during this Emsisoft Anti-Malware review is its focus on blocking connections to dangerous hosts, rather than just individual URLs. This is particularly effective against hackers who use single physical servers to host multiple malicious domains.

You can fine-tune the Web Protection settings from the desktop app in Protection > Web Protection. I found the ability to add custom host rules particularly useful. You can choose between simple text-based matching or more complex Regular Expression patterns, giving advanced users a lot of flexibility.

Emsisoft also provides a browser extension for additional protection. To put it to the test, I visited several known malicious websites across multiple browsers. Here's what I found:

• Malicious website test: Blocked
• WICAR: Blocked 13/13 threats
• AMTSO: Blocked 15/15 threats
• EICAR: Blocked 2/4 threats

Emsisoft's Web Protection successfully blocking access to a malicious website

Overall, I was impressed with the performance of Emsisoft's Web Protection. It successfully blocked the vast majority of threats, providing a robust first line of defense against web-based attacks.

Scan

Emsisoft Anti-Malware offers several scanning options to cater to different needs and situations. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Emsisoft offers various scan options to suit different needs

Quick Scan

The Quick Scan is designed to check only active programs and look for malware traces. It's ideal for situations where you're confident your system is clean but want a quick check, such as after a fresh OS installation.

Quick Scan results showing the number of objects scanned and threats detected

In my tests, the Quick Scan was impressively fast, taking only 34 seconds to scan 64,662 objects. It didn't detect any threats on my system, which was expected given that I maintain a clean system.

Malware Scan

The Malware Scan is more thorough, examining all areas that malware typically infects. This is the recommended option for most users as it provides a good balance between speed and thoroughness.

Malware Scan results showing a more thorough examination of the system

During my testing for this Emsisoft Anti-Malware review, the Malware Scan took 1 minute and 56 seconds, scanning 80,015 objects. Interestingly, it detected 5 threats, which I was able to clean with a single click. This demonstrates the value of running a more comprehensive scan even on a system you believe to be clean.

Custom Scan

For power users, Emsisoft offers a Custom Scan option where you can manually set and save scanner settings. This is particularly useful if you want to scan additional drives for inactive malware files including spyware, trojans, keyloggers, and adware.

I ran a custom scan on my entire system, which took 42 minutes and scanned 713,512 files. It detected one threat, which I was able to remove easily. The ability to customize the scan to this extent is a feature I really appreciate, as it allows for more targeted scanning when needed.

Scheduled Scan

Emsisoft also offers a robust scheduled scan feature. You can set up scans to run daily, weekly, or monthly, at specific times and on specific days. The level of customization here is impressive – you can choose the scan type, performance impact, and actions to take on scan completion.

Scheduled Scan settings allowing for extensive customization

One feature I particularly liked was the ability to run unattended scans. These can run without showing the scan screen or progress, and can even run if no user is logged into Windows. It's a great way to ensure regular scans without disrupting your workflow.

During any scan, you can view detailed information about detected objects, scan progress, and statistics. The ability to pause or stop a scan at any time is also handy.

Emergency Kit Maker

One unique feature that caught my attention is the Emergency Kit Maker. This tool allows you to create a portable emergency kit package that can be used to scan and clean infected third-party computers.

The Emergency Kit Maker interface includes options for creating a portable scanning solution.

To create a kit, you simply go to Scan > Emergency Kit Maker, specify a portable device or folder to save the files to, and you're done. The kit includes the latest detection updates, making it a powerful tool for cleaning infections on other computers without needing to download the entire Emsisoft package.

This feature could be particularly useful for IT professionals or for helping friends and family with computer issues. It's not something you'll use every day, but it's a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.

File Guard

The File Guard is a crucial component of Emsisoft's real-time protection system. It scans files before they're executed and can be configured to scan before other file actions like moving or downloading from the internet.

File Guard settings provides different scan levels and action options.

There are three scan levels available:

1. Default: Scans programs when they're started. This is the recommended setting as it balances performance and security.
2. Thorough: Scans all files when they're created or modified.
3. Paranoid: Scans all files when they're read by any program.

You can also configure default actions for different types of detections, such as malware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). I found this level of customization to be very useful, allowing me to tailor the protection to my specific needs.

Behavior Blocker

The Behavior Blocker is another key feature of Emsisoft Anti-Malware. It monitors running processes and can detect suspicious behavior in real-time.

Behavior Blocker interface showing monitored processes and their status

What I found particularly interesting about this feature is its connection to the Anti-Ransomware protection. Both rely on the same core technology to detect and block threats based on behavior rather than just signatures.

To test its effectiveness, I used a ransomware simulator. Emsisoft successfully stopped 14 out of 22 ransomware simulation scenarios. While not perfect, this is actually a good result, considering that the average success rate is 15/22. Antivirus alternatives like McAfee and Kaspersky were a bit more succesful when it comes to stopping ransomware.

The Behavior Blocker interface provides a wealth of information about running processes, including their status (monitored, not monitored, trusted, blocked, or excluded). You can also perform actions like editing rules, quarantining programs, or ending processes directly from this interface.

Remote Management / Web Console

Emsisoft offers a Management Console that allows you to manage your installed Emsisoft anti-malware applications remotely. This feature is particularly useful if you're managing multiple devices.

The Remote Management console offers an overview of protected devices and recent incidents

After logging in with your credentials, you can access your workspace, download the antivirus installer, and manage the antivirus program installed on every computer you use. The console provides a comprehensive view of incidents (infections on your PC), reports, logs, and various actions designed primarily for enterprise use.

While this feature might be overkill for a single home user, it's a powerful tool for those managing multiple devices or for small businesses.

Network Lockdown

The Network Lockdown feature is a simple yet powerful tool that allows you to instantly take your devices offline. This can be activated with a single click, providing a quick way to isolate your device in case of a suspected security breach.

The Network Lockdown feature allows for quick isolation of your device

I found this feature particularly useful in situations where I suspected a potential security threat. It's comforting to know that I can quickly disconnect my device from the network with just a click. The ability to control this feature remotely via the Management Console adds an extra layer of flexibility and control.

Silent Mode

Silent Mode is a handy feature that allows you to mute notifications and pause certain activities to avoid interruptions. This is especially useful when you're doing full-screen activities like presentations or gaming.

To enable Silent Mode, you simply click the bell icon on the left sidebar. By default, this mode will silence notifications, scheduled scans (which you can configure in the scan's settings), and program updates.

I appreciate how this feature allows you to focus on your work without being bothered by security notices, which are auto-handled when Silent Mode is on. It's particularly convenient for those of us who find it difficult to regain focus after an interruption.

System Performance Impact

One concern many users have about antivirus software is its impact on system performance. During my testing, I found that Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home does have a significant impact on system resources, particularly during full scans.

While running a full scan, Emsisoft consumed about 50% CPU power and 1GB of RAM. This is above the average CPU usage of 25% and RAM consumption of 300 MB that I've seen in other antivirus solutions.

However, it's worth noting that this resource usage is primarily during scans. During regular operation, the impact was much less significant. Still, if you're running on an older or less powerful system, this is something to keep in mind.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware Review: Conclusion

After spending considerable time analyzing Emsisoft, I've formed a pretty clear picture of its strengths and limitations. Here are my key Emsisoft Anti-Malware review takeaways:

Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home is a user-friendly antivirus solution that packs several advanced features into an easy-to-use interface. Its behavior analysis technology provides effective protection against threats like ransomware, which is increasingly important in today's threat landscape.

The scanning capabilities are impressive, with fast and efficient scans that can be highly customized. The scheduled scan feature and the Emergency Kit Maker are outstanding features that add significant value.

However, it's not without its limitations. The above-average resource consumption during scans might be a concern for users with less powerful systems. Additionally, compared to some competitors, Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home lacks certain security features like a custom firewall, parental controls, and data protection tools.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a simple, effective antivirus solution with strong behavior-based protection, Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home is definitely worth considering. However, if you need a more thorough security suite with additional features, you might want to investigate other options as well.

For reliable antivirus options, consider Norton, Bitdefender, or TotalAV. Don’t miss our guide to the best antivirus software for 2024.

Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)

Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.