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Definition
Malware is harmful software designed to damage or control computers and networks without permission. It includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and rootkits. Malware spreads via email attachments, downloads, malicious websites, and social engineering. Once infected, it can steal data, disable security features, install additional malware, and manipulate the system, causing slowdowns, crashes, and data loss.
Free Anti-Virus Tools
Information: The tools listed are on-demand, no-installation malware scanners, designed to scan and detect malicious software on your computer without the need for installation. However, they differ from full-fledged Antivirus (AV) software in that they only scan when requested, require no installation, and are intended to complement, not replace, your primary AV software. They offer a valuable service but should not be considered a substitute for comprehensive, full-time antivirus protection.
Using three distinct malware removal programs is a highly effective technique to identify and eliminate malware.
SophosScanAndClean: a free, no-install, second-opinion scanner that detects and removes zero-day and other advanced malware, including deeply embedded persistent threats, that traditional antivirus software may miss, making it a powerful virus removal tool for safeguarding your computer.
Emsisoft Emergency Kit: Emsisoft Emergency Kit is a portable malware removal tool that scans and cleans infected computers without installation.
Norton Power Eraser: a free, aggressive repair tool by NortonLifeLock that uses advanced scanning technology to detect and remove malware, viruses, and other threats that may have bypassed other security software, but due to its aggressive detection, it may mark legitimate programs for removal, so it should be used with caution.
Manually Check For Suspicious Processes Or Network Activity
If you're a advanced user, utilizing Sysinternals utilities can be an effective manual method for detecting and removing malware, with three particular tools.
Process Explorer: A free utility that shows detailed information about running processes and system resources, including CPU usage, memory usage, and network activity.
Auto-Runs: A free tool that displays all the programs and services that are configured to start automatically when you start your computer, allowing you to disable or remove any unwanted ones.
TCP-View: A free utility that displays real-time information about TCP and UDP connections, including the local and remote IP addresses, ports, and the status of each connection, which is useful for network troubleshooting and security analysis.
Online Scanning Tools For Files, URLs, IP Addresses, And Hashes
Information: Virustotal performs static scans that examine file structure and known malware traits. In contrast, Kaspersky Opentip and Intelix Sophos use dynamic analysis by executing files in a controlled environment to observe their real-time behavior. Dynamic analysis is better at detecting unknown and evolving cyber threats. Therefore, I suggest using Kaspersky Opentip and Intelix Sophos for a more precise evaluation of whether an uploaded file is malicious.
VirusTotal: A free, web-based service that enables you to scan files or URLs for viruses and other malware using over 70 antivirus scanners and URL/domain blacklisting services.
Kaspersky Opentip: An advanced tool that allows you to upload suspicious files and receive detailed reports on their behavior, capabilities, and potential threats.
Intelix Sophos: is a cloud-based threat intelligence and threat analysis platform that allows users to submit suspicious files or URLs for analysis.
YouTube Tutorials
Information: The PC Security Channel has produced instructional videos for the aforementioned tools, utilities, and programs.
Cybersecurity for Beginners: Basic Skills
Cybersecurity Skills everyone should have, Cybersecurity 101: This video discusses basic approaches and investigation techniques to avoid scams, malware, ransomware and other cyberthreats.
Suspicious Network Activity 101
How do you know if your PC is hacked or compromised or infected by malware? In this video we will introduce you to the field of digital forensics looking at suspicious network activity and guide you through autoruns, sysinternals and more, with the example of a live cryptominer.
How do you know if your PC is hacked or compromised or infected by malware? In this video we will introduce you to the field of digital forensics and guide you through autoruns, system internals and more.
Prevent Malware
The most effective method for combating malware is prevention.
Install An Anti-Virus
Important: Running multiple antivirus programs at the same time is not advisable. They may try to install interceptors in the same part of the system kernel or compete over threat handling, which can lead to confusion in quarantine management. This can create a redundant cycle that can range from being a minor annoyance to leaving your device vulnerable to threats, causing conflicts between the antivirus programs, or even resulting in system crashes.
Anti-virus software is a possible first line of defense against malware infection. All files that come into contact with your computer are checked for malware by an anti-virus program that offers real-time protection. The top three paid anti-virus software options are Kaspersky, Emsisoft, or Sophos. Arranging them from the lowest to the highest CPU usage, the order is Kaspersky, followed by Emsisoft, and then Sophos. My recommendation is Kaspersky.
For free anti-virus software options, Kaspersky or Bitdefender is recommended.
Windows Defender is a respectable alternative to third-party virus protection software. The anti-malware program Windows Defender is built-in to Windows itself. Windows Defender is not as good as Kaspersky, Emsisoft, Bitdefender, or Sophos, thus I suggest enhancing it. DefenderUI is a great tool to enhance Windows Defender with. "Microsoft Defender is great. We made it amazing."
Popular Anti-Viruses To Avoid
Avoid McAfee and Norton antivirus programs because they are expensive and perform worse than many free alternatives. These programs use aggressive marketing, are difficult to uninstall, and include unnecessary features that can slow down your computer. Their heavy use of affiliate marketing can also make online reviews less trustworthy. Norton's discontinued cryptocurrency mining feature, which took a 15% commission, provided little benefit to users after considering electricity costs.
Avoid Avast antivirus products due to serious privacy violations. Avast was found to collect and sell user browsing data without clear consent through its software and browser extensions via its subsidiary Jumpshot. This breached privacy and contradicted their claims of protection against online tracking. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Avast $16.5 million and banned it from selling browsing data for advertising purposes due to these infringements.
Triage
Triage is a malware analysis platform for testing suspicious software. Users can upload files to see if they are malware. The platform runs the files in a secure environment and provides detailed reports on their behavior, including system changes and network connections. This helps users quickly identify and understand potential threats.
Do Not Run Unknown Software
Avoid running programs from unknown sources. Without real-time protection, verify the programs you intend to run using your antivirus software or online tools mentioned above. While not foolproof, they offer a reasonable indication of potential hidden threats.
Do Not Click On Unknown Links
To prevent malicious downloads, refrain from clicking on unfamiliar URLs. Exercise caution and avoid clicking on links if you didn't expect them. Employ common sense, and consider scanning links with the aforementioned internet tools for added security.
Can Clicking A Link Infect You?
Information: The Chromium sandbox is a security feature that isolates processes to prevent malicious code from causing damage or accessing sensitive information. It uses OS mechanisms like restricted tokens, job objects, alternate desktops, and integrity levels to enforce strict security policies. A broker process manages these policies and oversees the sandboxed processes, ensuring they operate in a controlled environment. This approach provides strong guarantees on the behavior of sandboxed code, reducing risks associated with executing complex code.
Merely clicking a link rarely leads to infection on its own. Malicious actors need to exploit browser vulnerabilities, trick users into downloading and executing malware, or employ phishing tactics to obtain sensitive data. Chromium's robust sandbox architecture provides significant protection against these threats by:
Restricting code execution
Isolating processes
Limiting access to critical system resources
Do Not Participate In Piracy
Most software cracks and game hacks often involve malware, so if an offer seems too good to be true, it's likely not legitimate. Pirated versions of initially non-free software may contain malware, as money is a common motivator for such activities. The complex task of reverse engineering takes considerable time, and individuals are unlikely to undertake it without financial incentives.
Be Alert To Phishing
To combat phishing, implement two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires both a password and possession of a physical device. Verify email sources, handle attachments carefully, use tools like WhereGoes to check links, and avoid shortened URLs. Always log in through official websites and disable automatic image loading in emails to reduce tracking. These strategies provide strong protection against phishing and spear phishing, reducing cyber risks.
Report Fraudulent Websites
To report a fraudulent website, note the URL and take screenshots. Report the scam to national authorities like the FTC in the U.S., detailing the site’s activities. If financial information was shared, contact your bank to manage risks and reverse any fraudulent transactions. Use the ICANN Lookup Tool to find the website’s host and report the scam to them. Finally, report the scam to Google via their web form to support Google Safe Browsing and improve online safety.
Stay Informed
Your role in ensuring internet security is crucial. Stay informed about vulnerabilities, follow security guidelines, and be alert to potential infections. Get updates from diverse sources like CERT/CC and SecurityFocus for alerts, and explore in-depth coverage from SANS Internet Storm Center and CERT-EU. Follow security experts like Bruce Schneier and Brian Krebs, and leverage videos and podcasts from HAK5 and SANS to stay updated.
Recovery
How To Recover Files After A Ransomware Infection
Ransomware is a particularly hazardous sort of malicious software. This sort of malware encrypts all of your data and then wants you to pay (often in crypto currency) to get the decryption key to unlock your files. Encryption techniques are often robust, and damage is typically irreversible without payment. Ransomware encryption can be circumvented in specific situations, such as when there are implementation errors by malware creators, when they decide to release decryption keys, or when law enforcement seizes servers with keys. Consequently, you should not remove any encrypted data or shut down your computer. Crypto Sheriff should be used to identify ransomware. Visit NoMoreRansom to see whether your ransomware is capable of being decrypted for free. Unfortunately, if your data cannot be retrieved, the only way to retrieve them is by paying a fee. Paying ransoms is not a guaranteed solution, and it sustains the ransomware industry while potentially not leading to file decryption.
The common advice is to avoid making ransom payments. By delivering your funds to cybercriminals, you simply validate the efficacy of ransomware, with no assurance of receiving the required decryption key in exchange.
Reinstall Windows
Reinstalling Windows is the most effective technique to eliminate malware. This will erase your whole system and install a Windows image straight from Microsoft. If you need certain data on your computer, you should create a backup. The reinstallation of Windows is accomplished through a bootable USB. Microsoft offers the tools required to generate a bootable USB for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Learn how to reinstall Windows on Reset Windows.
A video instruction about reinstalling Windows was created by Richard Tech. He demonstrates two distinct methods for reinstalling Windows. The second method is the correct method to reinstall Windows, which starts at 1:37.
How to Reinstall/Clean Install Windows
In this video I show you how to reinstall Windows 10 to a clean state.
Backup
Cloud Storage
Having all of your key files in one location eliminates the possibility of a mistake. Any harm to your data may be irrevocable and/or costly in terms of both time and money. As a failsafe, backups are essential for protecting your data. I strongly suggest using a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. External storage is equally functional but lacks the reliability and versatility of cloud storage. I recommend Dropbox due to its outstanding web interface, efficient sync software, and the unique Folder Rewind feature, which is highly effective for mitigating ransomware incidents.