Windows & Linux
Antivirus — MIKAGE
Multi-layer detection combining hash matching, YARA rules, and heuristic analysis, with real-time monitoring and a quarantine vault. Built in Rust for a lightweight footprint.
Three detection methods, working together.
No single method is relied upon — threats known and unknown are caught from multiple angles.
Hash Matching + YARA Rules + Heuristics
Combines SHA-256/MD5 hash matching against known malware, pattern matching against 19,000+ YARA rules, and heuristic analysis of suspicious API calls. See our explainer on YARA rules for more.
Real-Time Monitoring
Detects changes to designated folders in real time and warns you of threats immediately.
Quarantine Vault
Detected files are encrypted with AES-256-GCM and quarantined. Easy to restore in case of a false positive.
Ad & Malware Blocking
Blocks connections to ad and malware-serving sites at the DNS level.
Lightweight & Fast
Built in Rust to keep CPU and memory usage minimal while running in the background.
What it can't do (an honest disclosure)
- "Real-time monitoring" is notification-based, not pre-emptive blocking. It uses Windows' standard ReadDirectoryChangesW API to detect changes, creation, deletion, and renames in a watched folder, then scans/warns/quarantines after the fact. It is not a kernel-level minifilter driver that blocks a file-open call before it happens, so there's a brief lag between detection and the resulting scan.
- It does not register itself with Windows Security Center as an antivirus product. That's a deliberate design choice, made so it can safely run alongside Windows Defender as an additional detection layer without conflicting with it (see the FAQ for details).
- It can't guarantee 100% detection of zero-day threats. Hash matching, YARA rules, and heuristic analysis form a multi-layer defense, but no combination of these methods can guarantee catching a truly novel attack technique. Use it as one layer of defense alongside other measures.
Specifications
| Supported OS | Windows 10/11, major Linux distributions (.deb) |
|---|---|
| Detection methods | SHA-256 / MD5 hash matching, YARA rules (19,000+), heuristic analysis |
| Implementation | Rust |
| Real-time monitoring | ReadDirectoryChangesW (notification-based, no pre-emptive blocking) |
| Quarantine | AES-256-GCM encrypted quarantine vault |
| Price | Free |
| PCs | Unlimited |
| Base engine | Built on the open-source PRX-SD (MIT/Apache-2.0), repackaged with a bilingual UI |
Learn more
What Are YARA Rules? How Malware Detection Works — and Where It Fails
A real incident from MIKAGE's own development: how an overly broad rule triggered false positives on every file.
Windows Defender vs. Third-Party Antivirus
What to look at when comparing the built-in Defender with an additional antivirus product.
What Is Windows Antivirus Software?
Free vs. paid vs. one-time-purchase, and the basics of how to choose.
MIKAGE Antivirus vs NET Compared
A comparison table of both products (all free).
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this alongside Windows Defender?
Yes. MIKAGE doesn't register itself with Windows Security Center as an antivirus product, and it doesn't hook or block at the kernel level — so it doesn't conflict with Defender's real-time protection. There's no need to disable Defender; you can run both together, with MIKAGE as an additional detection layer.
What should I do if there's a false positive?
You can restore the file from the quarantine vault. If you suspect a false positive, please contact us.
How is the virus definition database updated?
You can fetch the latest detection data from within the app or via the included command-line tool. An internet connection is required.
Is there a trial version?
A trial version is currently in preparation. Please contact us via the form if you'd like one.
Is MIKAGE free?
Yes. Every feature is free, with no license key or sign-up.
Does it work offline?
Scanning itself works offline. An internet connection is needed only to update the virus definition database.
Protect your PC today.
Installation takes minutes, with clear guidance the whole way.
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