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Free Rootkit Scanners - (the nasties that Antivirus software can't find)

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Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:

Comments

  • mr_fishbulb
    mr_fishbulb Posts: 5,224 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Microsoft also do a Free Malicious Software Removal Tool:
    http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
  • pchelpman
    pchelpman Posts: 1,275 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Rootkit infections are becoming more prevalent. These scanners are OK - I use Backlight - but the danger is as albertross suggests, namely, it's not what the scan reveals but HOW to read the information and to KNOW what to do with it.

    You don't just delete everything these scans show up.

    I had a user on another site run HJT and report back to me. They ran HJT then proceeded to put tick marks against everything in the scan and fix the lot. Result - computer virtually non-functional. Thank God for HJT backups.

    Point is ... just be careful WHAT you choose to delete.

    If in doubt .... ask someone first.
  • sra
    sra Posts: 4,676 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Photogenic
    I think the best way to use Rootkit scanners is to keep a note of what they discover and then do a regular scan keeping a lookout for any changes.

    So it's best to do your first scan now rather than wait till you think you're infected then try to figure out what it all means.

    Never had to have a Rootkit scanner log checked but I'm sure the forums where you can submit them will be as friendly as when submitting hjt logs :)
  • pchelpman
    pchelpman Posts: 1,275 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    sra wrote:
    I think the best way to use Rootkit scanners is to keep a note of what they discover and then do a regular scan keeping a lookout for any changes.

    So it's best to do your first scan now rather than wait till you think you're infected then try to figure out what it all means.
    Good idea, boss.
    sra wrote:
    Never had to have a Rootkit scanner log checked but I'm sure the forums where you can submit them will be as friendly as when submitting hjt logs :)
    indeed.... or maybe they could ask in this forum... ;)
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