Cybercriminals constantly looking for new ways to trick us into installing malware that can invade our privacy, steal our data, or damage our systems. Malware can infect many kinds of internet-connected devices, including your PC, smartphone, and even your smart home setup, such as routers. Some infections are obvious to spot, but others operate covertly in the background.Built-in security features such as antivirus software and firewalls have become far more effective in recent years, but more security never hurts, and acting fast can eliminate malicious threats before any damage is done. Install a trustworthy, secure malware removal app to remove existing infections and keep your devices clean. Effective software can also prevent worst-case scenarios by identifying and isolating threats such as adware, spyware, and ransomware before they fully infect your system. Also: The best VPNs: Expert tested and reviewedIn ZDNET's July update, we completed an in-depth editorial revision of our 2026 guide. We also answered more of your frequent questions around malware removal, and added AVG to our top recommendations.Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.