Top 10 Malware Analysis Tools: From Beginner to Advanced (Static, Dynamic & Hybrid)

Malware analysis is a critical skill in cybersecurity, helping analysts understand how malicious software works, how it spreads, and how to defend against it. Whether you are a beginner, SOC analyst, or an aspiring reverse engineer, choosing the right tools at each stage of learning is essential.

In this article, we explore the Top 10 malware analysis tools, categorized by Static, Dynamic, and Hybrid analysis, and arranged from beginner to advanced level.

What Is Malware Analysis?

Malware analysis is the process of examining malicious software to:

• Identify its behavior

• Understand its functionality

• Detect indicators of compromise (IOCs)

• Improve detection and response strategies

There are three main types of malware analysis:

• Static Analysis – Examining malware without executing it

• Dynamic Analysis – Running malware in a controlled environment

• Hybrid Analysis – Combining static and dynamic techniques

🔍 Static Malware Analysis Tools

(Safe analysis without executing malware)

1. VirusTotal (Beginner)

VirusTotal is an online service that scans files and URLs using multiple antivirus engines.

Key Features:

• Hash and signature-based detection

• Behavioral reports

• Community intelligence

Best Use Case: Initial malware triage and reputation checks

2. PEStudio (Beginner)

PEStudio is a powerful static analysis tool for Windows executables.

Key Features:

• Detects suspicious imports and APIs

• Identifies packers and obfuscation

• No execution required

Best Use Case: Quick inspection of PE files

3. Strings (Sysinternals / GNU Strings) (Intermediate)

The Strings utility extracts human-readable text from binary files.

Key Features:

• Reveals URLs, IP addresses, commands, and registry paths

• Lightweight and fast

Best Use Case: Identifying embedded indicators of compromise

4. Detect It Easy (DIE) (Intermediate)

Detect It Easy identifies compilers, packers, and file formats.

Key Features:

• Detects obfuscation and encryption

• Supports multiple platforms

Best Use Case: Pre-reversing analysis and packer detection

5. Ghidra (Advanced)

Ghidra is a full-featured reverse engineering framework developed by the NSA.

Key Features:

• Disassembler and decompiler

• Cross-platform support

• Scriptable analysis

Best Use Case: Deep code-level malware analysis

⚙️ Dynamic Malware Analysis Tools

(Analyzing malware behavior during execution)

6. Any.Run (Beginner)

Any.Run is an interactive online malware sandbox.

Key Features:

• Real-time malware execution

• Visual process and network activity

• No lab setup required

Best Use Case: Behavioral analysis without local risk

7. Process Monitor (ProcMon) (Intermediate)

Process Monitor from Sysinternals captures real-time system activity.

Key Features:

• Tracks file system, registry, and process activity

• Highly detailed event logging

Best Use Case: Observing malware impact on Windows OS

8. Wireshark (Intermediate)

Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer used to capture and analyze traffic.

Key Features:

• Detects command-and-control (C2) traffic

• Supports deep packet inspection

Best Use Case: Network-based malware behavior analysis

9. x64dbg (Advanced)

x64dbg is a powerful debugger for Windows binaries.

Key Features:

• Runtime code analysis

• Breakpoints and memory inspection

• Anti-debugging bypass techniques

Best Use Case: Advanced malware debugging and unpacking

🔀 Hybrid Malware Analysis Tool

10. Cuckoo Sandbox (Advanced)

Cuckoo Sandbox is an automated malware analysis system combining static and dynamic techniques.

Key Features:

• Automated execution and reporting

• API, network, and memory analysis

• Extensible and open-source

Best Use Case: Enterprise-level malware research and automation