Can Antivirus Software Detect And Remove Ransomware? Micayla Caetano, February 17, 2026. Ransomware is a form of malware that infects a device or network, usually encrypting files or the entire system so they can’t be used, then demanding payment often in cryptocurrency for a decryption key. In 2025 around 19,000 UK businesses reported a ransomware incident and Statista reported 60% of UK companies were victims in 2024. Antivirus software is often the first line of defence: it runs in the background to identify and isolate suspicious downloads or abnormal file activity. Common techniques include signature-based detection (matching known malware code), behaviour monitoring (watching real-time actions), heuristic analysis (flagging unusual patterns such as multiple files being encrypted) and cloud intelligence (sharing threat data globally). The majority of reputable antivirus products can detect and block many ransomware threats before encryption occurs by spotting suspicious system changes. However, if files have already been fully encrypted antivirus cannot decrypt them unless a specific decryption key or tool exists for that ransomware strain. To reduce risk, keep systems and antivirus updated, choose reputable providers with ransomware-specific protections, and remain vigilant against phishing emails and malicious links.
