Published on August 4th, 2020
The virus affects our computers in a rather damaging way. Not only do we lose our data there is always a chance of future attacks coming our way.
The rate at which virus attacks are increasing makes many computer users worry about it. However, the respite is always there in the form of Antivirus software.
Here we share with you the best bootable antivirus solutions that you can choose. These software have been analyzed on multiple parameters and their strong and weak points discussed too.
Upon going through the list you can decide which one of them suits your need and make your choice. You could also compare more than one and find out the best one for you.
1. Adaware Live CD
The Rescue USB drive allows you to install adaware antivirus on an infected computer through its USB port. This step requires a second, functional computer to create a rescue USB key. There are multiple types of scans you can run, so whether it’s a quick check for a boot sector virus or you want to find malware in specific folders or the whole computer, you can do it all with this program.
Review: Fossguru
There are several types of scans you can perform. Whether you are looking for a simple check for a boot sector virus or looking for malware in a specific folder or your entire computer, you can do everything with this program.
2. Anvi Rescue Disk
Considering all the cyber attacks and malware infections that you are exposed to when using an Internet connection, standard antivirus programs may fail to detect and clean various spams, especially boot-sector viruses, which are also known as ransomware.Ransomware typically acts as a trojan but the main difference between this and any average virus is that once it gets onto your system, it will restrict the access to your computer by encrypting all your personal files on the hard drive.
Review: Cnet
Anvi Rescue Disk was designed to be used when regular antivirus software fails in detecting and cleaning a system of various infections. The ISO can be burned on a CD/DVD using your disc burner or choice. It can also be placed on a bootable USB device and launched from there. Here’s how it works: set your system to boot from the CD / DVD/ USB device.
3. AVG Rescue CD
AVG Rescue CD repairs system crashes and returns your systems to operating at full capacity. If malware gets past your security software, you can quickly get your PC back up and running smoothly. AVG resellers have been using this same solution to recover their customers’ infected systems and now it’s available to your business, free of charge. It’s a clean bill of health for your system — without the bill.
Review:Lifewire
AVG Rescue CD is a text-only free bootable antivirus program. It can check for potentially unwanted programs, scan cookies, find hidden file extensions, and even scan inside archives.Before you start a scan with AVG Rescue CD, you have the option to just scan a folder of your choice, just the boot sector, only the registry, or any locally attached hard drive.
4. Comodo Rescue Disk
Includes full AV scanning engine capable of removing rootkits embedded so deeply they cannot be removed with CCE for Windows. Boot disk that runs Comodo Cleaning Essentials virus scanner in a pre-boot environment. Automatically downloads latest virus signatures prior to executing scan for maximum security. You can also scan archives, enable heuristics scanning, and skip files over a specified size.
Review: Cnet
CRD runs Comodo Cleaning Essentials on a lightweight distribution of the Linux operating system. It is a powerful virus, spyware, rootkit scanner and cleaner which works in both GUI and text mode. The tool can provide a more comprehensive and thorough scan than regular malware cleaning applications because it cleans your system before Windows is loaded
5. Dr.Web LiveDisk
Dr.Web LiveDisk is a feature-filled free bootable virus scanner for Windows and Linux. There are plenty of configurable settings, like choosing the actions Dr.Web should take when finding infected, suspicious, or incurable files. Also, you can set what should occur in the event it detects specific issues like adware, dialers, jokes, hacktools, and riskware.
Review: Softpedia
Dr.Web LiveDisk is a bootable disc designed to help you remove viruses and other dangerous files from your computer. It allows you to use the removal tools directly after the boot and bypass any problems created by the virus attack.
6. Kaspersky Rescue Disk v18
Kaspersky Rescue Disk is a software suite with tools like a free bootable antivirus program, a web browser, and a Windows Registry editor. The virus scanner lets you scan any file or folder on the computer without requiring you to scan the entire hard drive, which is a very useful feature.
Review: Lifewire
Kaspersky has what’s called a Rescue Disk, which can scan for viruses, worms, Trojans, malicious tools, adware, dialers, and other malicious items.You can pick between using the graphical mode (recommended) or the text-only mode.
7. Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO
Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO is a tool which allows you to scan computers or VMWare images which, due to virus infections, will not start correctly. This disinfection tool included in the ISO is Panda Cloud Cleaner.Follow the instructions below to create and scan your computer with a Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO.
Review: Pcmag
If you put off installing antivirus software until after your system is pwned by malware, you may find yourself in a bind. Some malicious programs target antivirus installers, preventing you from installing protection or running a scan. Others, called ransomware, take over the whole computer and demand money before they’ll release it.
8. Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus
Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus is an emergency solution that may cause data loss in specific situations. Do not use this tool until all other options have been exhausted. Once the virus outbreak has been contained and eliminated from the network, delete the downloaded program and destroy the CD or reformat the USB pen drive. If there is a need to use SBAV again in the future, download a fresh copy of the program.
Review: Lifewire
Not many custom settings or options are available in Sophos Bootable Anti-Virus except choosing one of two different scan types. A Recommended Scan can either rename infected files or just display a log of the malicious items that were found. An Advanced Scan will actually remove any infected files it detects.
9. Trend Micro Rescue Disk
Trend Micro Rescue Disk will assist you in finding and removing persistent or difficult-to-clean security threats that can lurk deep within your operating system. It will permit you to use a CD, DVD, or USB drive to examine your computer without launching Microsoft Windows. It can scan hidden files, system drivers, and the Master Boot Record (MBR) of your computer’s hard drive without disturbing the operating system.
Review: Techradar
While most antivirus vendors provide rescue disks in a plain ISO format and leave you to decide how to use it, Trend Micro’s Rescue Disk tool handles all the complexities itself. Just choose whether you need a bootable CD, USB key or hard drive and the tool quickly creates it for you.
10. Microsoft Defender Offline
Microsoft Defender Offline is a powerful offline scanning tool that runs from a trusted environment, without starting your operating system. This topic describes how to use Microsoft Defender Offline in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7.You might see a message stating that malware was found on your device, or receive a message in Windows Security notifying you that additional cleaning is required.
Review: Bestantiviruspro
Windows Defender detects and removes almost 100% of cyber threats without a heavy impact on the system performance.At the same time, the Defender still lacks some important features offered by top antivirus suites. Also, its performance is not completely flawless, especially when it comes to false positives.
