10 Best Malware Analysis Tools Updated 2023 Paid Free

Security experts use a variety of tools and techniques to analyze malware to help develop malware detection systems. In this article, we’ll review some of the best malware analysis tools on the market and see exactly how they work.

Here’s a quick overview of our top picks for best malware analysis tools:

• CrowdStrike Falcon Insight EDITOR’S CHOICE This EDR analyzes malware on two levels and also identifies intruder activity. The system is cloud-based with endpoint modules for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Start a 15-day free trial.
• Cuckoo Sandbox Provides a balance between automated and manual malware analysis tools, complete with multiple sandbox environments
• IDA Pro A highly technical tool designed with forensic and cybersecurity pros in mind
• Reverse.it Simple web-based tool, ideal for researchers looking to perform malware searches
• Limon Developed to detect Linux-based malware
• VirusTotal A massive repository of malware signatures available online for both end-users and researchers alike
• Wireshark Provides deep packet inspection to uncover malware communicating across a network
• PeStudio Designed to streamline the analysis process for malware researchers
• Fiddler Identifies malicious activity by monitoring HTTP/S traffic via proxy
• Process Monitor Uncovers the relationship between executables and procedures to help identify malware and its behavior

What to look for in malware analysis tools

Not all malware analysis tools are created equal. Some tools require a higher level of skill, while others can provide a high-level analysis automatically. However, here are a few key features to keep an eye out for.

Open Source Tools

Open source tools allow anyone to view the source code, make changes, and build integrations or add-ons. This flexibility empowers creative researchers to make their features and ensures that tools aren’t indeed malware themselves.

Tools that follow an open-source framework usually have more dedicated communities, fostering more collaboration, information sharing, and a longer lifespan of the tools. Open-source projects also have a more comprehensive array of integrations, which can be vital if you incorporate a tool as a critical component of your malware analysis strategy. While not being open source isn’t a deal-breaker, it’s a “plus one” when comparing multiple tools.

Ease Of Use

Ease of use doesn’t just mean it has to be friendly to a non-technical audience. Malware analysis can get complicated quickly, so staying organized is critical even for security professionals. Some web-based scanning tools use an easy-to-use drag-and-drop feature to make it as simple as possible to analyze malware. The tradeoff is usually those tools offer fewerSo while manual tools for researchers.

On the other hand, manual analysis tools are geared towards cybersecurity professionals and often have a steep learning curve. Understanding what you’re looking for in a malware analysis tool ahead of time and help guide you through picking one. Often researchers use numerous tools to get the job done.

Large Malware Collection

The size of their threat library limits tools that use a signature-based approach for detention. This means the more popular a signature-based analysis tool is, the better it will be to detect malware within a file. Signature detection relies on fingerprinting each type of malware along with any variant that might be present. This requires a massive threat library to be effective and works best when paired with machine learning or behavioral analysis tools. Since undocumented virus variants haven’t been fingerprinted, they go undetected in systems that don’t also look at the behavior of the file.

Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence

Machine learning and artificial intelligence are some of the most powerful tools you can use in malware detection and analysis. Machine learning helps identify patterns and trends in malware, which is vital for detecting zero-days and undiscovered threats. Rather than fingerprinting each threat, machine learning looks at the behavior of a file and compares it to millions of known instances of other types of malware and non-infected files.

By understanding the differences between malicious behavior and expected behavior, machine learning can aid researchers in identifying malware more quickly and uncover complex behavior patterns that would take humans hours to determine.

What is a sandbox?

A sandbox is a secure virtual environment segmented from the network to test and analyze malware samples specifically. Sandboxes a flexible and customizable way to see how malware reacts to different antivirus programs, operating systems, and countermeasures. Using a sandbox protects your entire network and operating system from infection while studying the impacts of malware. Many malware analysis tools come with a sandbox environment or support sandbox environments. A good sandbox environment is indistinguishable from a natural operating system, so intelligent malware won’t act differently when observed.

What is an Indicator Of Compromise (IOC)?

An IOC is the digital equivalent of a trail of breadcrumbs left behind by malware. IOCs help investigators identify a problem on the network or operating system and aid in tracking down malware or analysis and remediation. By proactively monitoring IOCs, organizations can detect attacks in progress and shut them down swiftly by malware detection tools.

Malware analysis tools look for IOCs while a suspicious file is being executed and after it has run. By measuring changes made during the file execution and examining the context of those changes, researchers can better understand how malware works and develop better prevention techniques.

Now that we know what to look for, let’s drive into our top picks for the best malware analysis tools.

The Best Malware Analysis Tools

With these selection criteria in mind, we selected a number of excellent malware analysis tools that offer constant protection without costing too much.

Our methodology for selecting malware analysis tools 

We reviewed the market for malware analysis systems and analyzed tools based on the following criteria:

• A system that is able to spot zero-day attacks
• The option to channel activity logs into a SIEM system
• A system that continues working if the device it protects is disconnected from the network
• A detection system that is kept up to date
• A malware scanner that doesn’t slow down the CPU of the protected device
• A free trial or a demo system for a no-obligation assessment opportunity or a free tool
• Value for money from an effective malware analyzer that is offered at a reasonable price or is free to use

1. CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (FREE TRIAL)

CrowdStrike Falcon Insight is an extended detection and response (EDR) solution that draws activity data from endpoints and analyzes those records for signs of malware and intruders. The CrowdStrike Insight system performs analysis at two levels: on the endpoint and on the cloud.

Key Features:

• Hybrid solution
• Continues protection when the device is disconnected
• User and Entity Behavior Analytics
• Anomaly detection
• Zero-day virus blocking

Each protected endpoint needs a software package installed on it. This is also available as a standalone product, called Falcon Prevent and it is a next-generation anti-virus system. Falcon Prevent is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The tool is an anomaly-based detection system. This means that it gathers activity data and derives a record of standard activity. This is a machine learning process that constantly adjusts the assessment of the activity baseline. Many cybersecurity tools now use this technique, which is called user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA). Behavioral outliers are flagged for investigation.

The Falcon Prevent unit ensures that protection continues even when the device is disconnected from the network and the AV can’t communicate with the Insight system in the cloud. Falcon Insight gathers activity data from all protected endpoints, giving it a global view of your system.

The Insight system performs threat hunting on a pool of endpoint activity data and also gets a feed of Indicators of Compromise (IoC) from the CrowdStrike research team. The cloud-based malware analyzer sends instructions to endpoints when it identifies an attack. This blocks the lateral movement of malware by creating a private threat intelligence feed.

Protected endpoints in the scheme can be located anywhere – on multiple sites and also in the homes of telecommuting workers. There isn’t a free trial of Falcon Insight but you can get a 15-day free trial of Falcon Prevent.

Pros:

• Highly respected cybersecurity brand
• Blocks lateral movement
• Local protection with group-level threat intelligence
• Support from top security experts
• Group endpoints don’t have to be on the same network

Cons:

• Free trial is only for the endpoint component

2. Cuckoo Sandbox

EDITOR’S CHOICE

CrowdStrike Falcon Insight is our top pick for a malware analysis tool because it deploys two levels of data searches to identify and block malware and also sniffs out intruder activity. The top-level operates on the cloud and is informed by a feed of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) from CrowdStrike. The on-device module ensures continuity of service if the endpoint gets disconnected from the network.

Download: Get a 15-day FREE Trial

Official Site: https://go.crowdstrike.com/try-falcon-prevent.html

OS: Cloud, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Cuckoo Sandbox is one of the most popular open-source malware analysis tools on the market. The tool is handy as it works automatically to study the behavior of malware. Simply input the suspected malware file into Cuckoo, and it will provide a highly detailed report of the file’s behavior.

• Free to use
• Safely runs malware
• Identifies malware
• Easy to use

The platform opens the file in a controlled but realistic environment. This is key as some stealthy forms of malware have been known to evade detection by not executing if a sandbox environment is detected. In addition, unlike other malware analysis tools, Cuckoo Sandbox is easier to use, especially for new to cybersecurity.

Cuckoo allows users to customize their sandbox environment and test files in Windows, Linux, macOS, and android virtual environments. Behind the scenes, API calls, DNS requests, registry changes, and network traffic are all recorded and automatically analyzed for reporting. The tool generates very detailed but not overwhelming reports, allowing non-technical users to understand the details without neglecting key data points.

Users can also use a host of manual tools to analyze malware and its impact on a system. For example, researchers can perform advanced memory analysis of the infected system through additional integrations into Volatility and YARA.

Cuckoo secures a spot on our list for its flexible open-source approach to malware analysis and its ability to automatically create malware reports with little technical skills required. In addition, Cuckoo is entirely free to use.

• Proven to work through extensive use

• References research contributed to by cybersecurity services all over the world

• Mimics Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android

• Easy to read reports

• Doesn’t generate results in a format that SIEMs can use

3. IDA Pro

IDA Pro is one of the more advanced malware analysis tools geared towards cybersecurity professionals. The tool is an interactive disassembler and debugger that allows researchers to take apart potential malware files for manual analysis manually.

• Scrapes memory
• Code analysis
• Identifies tell-tale code

IDA Pro is highly visual and cleanly displays the binary instructions executed by the processor in assembly language. The platform can also generate assembly language source code from machine code to make the malware analysis processor easier for humans to read and less complex.

IDA can debug multiple targets and supports remote applications that span across multiple platforms on the debugging side. The debugger is highly flexible and supports 64-bit systems as well as numerous integration possibilities. The platform runs on an open plugin architecture, meaning its functionality is easily extended via pre-built plugins or through the SDK for registered users.

All in all, IDA Pro is incredibly versatile and robust and is best suited for cybersecurity researchers who want to perform their manual malware analysis. IDA Pro’s pricing varies depending on your target operating system, license type, and Edition, with prices starting from $365.00 USD.

• Can simultaneously track malware on multiple platforms

• Can operate remotely

• Extensible with plug-ins

• Requires cybersecurity expertise to understand the reports

4. Reverse.it

Reverse.it is a web-based malware analysis tool that combines ease of use with a customizable approach that allows users to generate reports quickly. For example, users can input a file in questions and receive feedback in just a few seconds through a drag-and-drop interface. Alternatively, files hosted on websites can be scanned by linking directly to them.

• Web-based
• Scan files or Web assets
• Machine learning

The platform is powered by CrowdStrike Falcon, which uses a hybrid analytical approach to identity threats. This methodology looks at both threat signatures as well as general behavior to uncover malicious activity. In addition, machine learning algorithms tap into threat intelligence from multiple sources, including new uploads the system receives. Users can upload and share collections of files to get instant feedback, which is a great feature many online scanners seem to lack.

Reverse.it also comes with a few advanced search options, allowing users to comb over 15 million indicators of compromise by IP, domain, or hash signature. Researchers can also search YARA as well as filter by string search that matches HEX and ASCII strings.

The platform offers a convenient portal for online malware analysis for both technical and non-technical users. Researchers will find the advanced search functionality convenient, while casual users will receive a straightforward answer if their file is infected.

• CVE database

• Based on CrowdStrike Falcon

• Detailed analysis reports or a quick infection flag

• Windows tests are for Windows 7

5. Limon

Limon is a sandbox malware analysis tool designed to study malware found in Linux environments. The platform was developed in Python and automatically collects, analyzes, and reports indicators of Linux malware. For those who want to comb over the details manually, Limon allows users to inspect the operating system before, during, and after the malware execution in a sterile environment.

• Malware sandboxing
• Runs on Linux
• Memory analysis

The platform monitors the behavior and child processes of the suspected malware to help determine the nature, purpose, and context of the attack. You can also configure Limon to perform memory analysis and review the data dump after the malware execution.

The tool is very flexible and is similar to Cuckoo Sandbox in how it offers an automatic malware analysis option. Limon is ideal for anyone specifically studying malware in Linux environments but isn’t the best option for those studying viruses that infect other operating systems or can leap across the platform.

• Will run a file in a protected environment to examine its actions

• Maps and tracks child processes

• Can be set up to run automatically

• Only available for Linux

6. VirusTotal

VirusTotal has one of the largest repositories of malware samples of any online tool, making it essential for anyone analyzing malware. Similar to Reverse.it, VirusTotal allows users to upload samples, scan suspicious URLs, and perform manual searches.

• Web-based
• Free to use
• Large threat signature database

The platform is one of the more user-friendly tools, making it more popular among casual users who want to scan their files for malware. This, in turn, makes VirusTotal even more powerful, as it records, catalogs, and categorizes every malware sample sent to its system. VirusTotal provides swift analysis paired with basic high-level details of the type of malware discovered for users looking to determine if a file is infected quickly.

The search function is easy to use and allows researchers to search by URL, IP, domain, or file hash. While tools like Reverse.it provides additional HEX search parameters; VirusTotal may have more threat signatures recorded to compare against your file. Either way, if you’re looking for fast and straightforward malware analysis, VirusTotal isn’t a tool you’ll want to pass up.

• Scan a URL or a file

• Quick high-level results

• Searchable threat signature database

• Only checks objects one at a time

7. Wireshark

Chances are you already know what Wireshark is about. If not, here’s a quick rundown. Wireshark is one of the most popular tools for capturing and analyzing network traffic. In addition, the tool allows for deep packet inspection, a result that is vital for advanced network troubleshooting and uncovering stealthy malware activity.

• Fee tool
• Packet capture and analysis
• Memory analysis

Network traffic can be recorded, filtered, and sorted through to understand how malware impacts network traffic and interacts with firewalls. In addition, it can uncover multiple protocol layers supports numerous integration into other malware analysis tools.

Wireshark’s flexibility and massive community make it a staple malware analysis tool everyone should have in their arsenal. In addition, Wireshark is entirely free to use.

• Filter, capture, and filter again

• Shows the contents of packets

• Includes a comprehensive query language

• You need to know signatures to search for

8. PeStudio

PeStudio is a simple yet powerful tool that allows researchers to analyze Windows-based malware and quickly identify suspicious behaviors, supply unique hashes, and uncover related processes to the malware.

• Searchers for signatures
• List of suspicious code to look for
• Free version

The platform is designed for professionals but adds plenty of quality-of-life features that streamline the malware analysis process. For example, as soon as a binary is loaded, PeStudio provides hashes and automatically runs them through VirusTotal.

If the malware is being obfuscated through code wrapping or packing, PeStudio can detect this through a form of entropy scanning. This essentially assigns a numerical value to how much entropy a file has. The higher the number, the more likely that code is being purposely hidden within the file.

The program highlights numerous indicators of compromise and even looks at what a program imports from Windows APIs to determine malicious activity. PeStudio is a great place to start for malware analysis, especially if you’re confident you have malware on your hand and want to study it further.

• Will automatically scan for well-known functions that indicate suspicious activity

• Highlights calls to external references, such as command and control servers

• Paid version allows batch processing

• Only available for Windows

9. Fiddler

Fiddler is used to monitor active HTTP/HTTPS connections on the target machine, which can uncover hidden connections used by malware to contact their command and control (C2) servers. C2 servers are used by malware authors to exfiltrate data, send commands to installed malware, and open additional backdoors later use.

• Web debugging tool
• Identifies all communicaiton
• Will spot C&C contact

Fiddler acts as a web proxy to capture and analyze traffic and is a simple tool to set up even for beginners. A good amount of analysis is already done for the user, where the tools highlight current connections and scan the document for any known malicious IP addresses or domains.

Since threat actors use multiple domains to host their malware, having a built-in way to detect all C2 servers is convenient when dealing with stubborn malware.

More advanced users can dive into the details of the traffic through the inspector tool. This helps paint a clear picture of which programs are communicating outbound and the context of that communication. Users even can modify requests, potentially highlighting flaws in how C2 servers communicate back with their infected hosts.

Fiddler is a rock-solid tool that is great for both new and experienced cybersecurity researchers. Fiddler Classic is free for 30-days and then $10.00 per month.

• Made for checking Web application code

• Scans can be run continuously or on demand

• Can be integrated into a CI/CD pipeline

• Intended for use as a Web application security tester, not a virus scanner

10. Process Monitor

Process Monitor or ProcMon is a tool developed by Windows to allow additional insight into processes and the file system in real-time. You can think of this as a much more detailed version of Task Manager. However, since the interface is so familiar, the tool is excellent for those new to malware analysis.

• Free tool
• Identifies the source of processes
• Highlights linked processes

Process Monitor allows you to track down what created each process and comes with several filters that will enable you to see the child/parent relationship between an executable easily. When malicious files such as word documents detonate, they often launch scripts or open ports stealthily in the background. ProcMon makes it easy to see this activity in real-time and through recorded analysis in CSV format.

While Process Monitor won’t allow you to pick apart a binary, it will quickly highlight suspicious activity and enable you to investigate deeper into a situation. ProcMon is a Windows tool and is available for free.

• Good for spotting persistence modules

• Identifies families of malware in action

• A fast surface scan

• Code – also known as static analysis, searching for keywords and functions in the program if it is accessible.

• Behavioral – also known as dynamic analysis, this scanner runs an executable in a protected environment and looks at the interactions that it has with system resources.

• Memory Forensics – runs the executable and extracts its actions from system memory, enabling code scanning on compiled programs.