HitmanPro is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove a wide range of threats, including viruses, trojans, worms, keyloggers, rootkits, trackers, and spyware. Developed by SurfRight, which joined Sophos in 2015, HitmanPro offers a unique approach to malware removal by combining multiple antivirus engines in the cloud for enhanced detection capabilities.
HitmanPro goes beyond traditional signature-based detection by analyzing the behavior of files and programs to identify and remove both known and new, zero-day malware.
It leverages the malware databases of multiple leading security labs, including SophosLabs, to provide a more thorough and accurate scan without heavily impacting system resources.
HitmanPro focuses on identifying suspicious activities and behaviors that are characteristic of malware, allowing it to detect threats that traditional antivirus might miss.
Deep Clean:It can detect and remove persistent malware that infects critical system files and boot records, ensuring a thorough cleanup.
No Installation Required: HitmanPro is a small, portable application (around 10MB) that can be run directly from a USB drive or after a quick download, without the need for installation.
Compatibility: It can run alongside existing antivirus software, providing a second layer of defense without causing conflicts.
Restoration of Infected Files: HitmanPro can restore damaged Windows resources to their original, safe state after removing malware.
HitmanPro.Alert: This enhanced version provides real-time protection against new and developing malware, ransomware, exploits, and increases privacy with features like webcam protection and keystroke encryption.
Ransomware Protection: HitmanPro.Alert includes CryptoGuard, which monitors encryption behavior and can stop and revert unauthorized file encryption by ransomware.
Exploit Prevention: It protects vulnerable programs, like Microsoft Office, from being exploited by attackers.
Privacy Protection: HitmanPro.Alert can alert you when your webcam is activated and encrypts your keystrokes to prevent keyloggers from stealing sensitive information.
When you run HitmanPro, it quickly scans your computer for suspicious files and behaviors. If it finds anything, it uploads the relevant data to the Scan Cloud, where it's analyzed by multiple antivirus engines. This multi-engine approach increases the likelihood of detecting even obscure or new threats. Once malware is identified, HitmanPro removes it and can restore any damaged system files.
HitmanPro is often used as a secondary scanner to complement a primary antivirus solution. While some reviews indicate that its independent testing results might be limited or that it has missed some threats in certain tests, many users praise its ability to detect and remove malware that other antivirus programs have overlooked. It's considered lightweight and fast, causing minimal impact on system performance.
Compared to products like Malwarebytes, HitmanPro is often seen as a strong tool for malware removal, though some comparisons suggest Malwarebytes might have a slightly higher detection rate in certain tests. HitmanPro's cloud-based approach and behavioral analysis are key differentiators.
In conclusion, HitmanPro offers a valuable addition to your security arsenal, especially for its ability to perform deep scans and remove persistent malware. The HitmanPro.Alert version further enhances protection with real-time monitoring and specific features against ransomware and exploits.