Removing malware that's actively running as a process requires a systematic approach to identify and eliminate the malicious software. Here's how you can proceed:
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Disconnect from the Internet: Immediately isolate your machine from the network to prevent the malware from spreading or receiving further instructions.
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Back Up Your Machine: Create a backup of your important data before proceeding. This ensures that you can recover your files in case something goes wrong during the malware removal process.
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Enter Safe Mode (with Networking): Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking. This mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can prevent the malware from running and interfering with the removal process. The networking option allows you to download necessary tools.
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Identify the Malicious Process: Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to identify the process that is likely infected. Look for processes with suspicious names, high CPU or memory usage, or unknown publishers. Note the process ID (PID) and the executable's location. Tools like Process Explorer (from Microsoft Sysinternals) provide more detailed information about processes.
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Scan with an Anti-Malware Tool: Use a reputable anti-malware program (like Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, or others) to scan your system. Ensure the anti-malware program is up-to-date with the latest definitions. Run a full system scan to detect and quarantine or remove the malware.
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Delete Temporary Files: Malware often uses temporary files. Clean out temporary files using Disk Cleanup or a similar utility.
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Reset Browser Settings: Malware can modify your browser settings. Reset your browser to its default configuration to remove any malicious extensions or altered settings.
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Verify Proxy Settings: Check your proxy settings to ensure that they haven't been modified by the malware. Go to your internet options and look under connections->LAN settings. Ensure that "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is unchecked unless you are intentionally using a proxy server.
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Manually Remove Malware (Use with Caution): If the anti-malware tool can't remove the malware completely, you might need to manually delete the malicious files. Be very careful when doing this, as deleting the wrong files can cause system instability. Use the information you gathered in step 4 (executable location, etc.) to locate and delete the malware's files. Also, check the registry for any entries related to the malware (regedit). Again, exercise extreme caution when editing the registry.
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Update Software: Ensure your operating system and all installed software are up-to-date with the latest security patches. This helps prevent future infections.
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Run Another Scan: After cleaning, run another full system scan with your anti-malware tool to verify that the malware has been completely removed.
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Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Keep an eye on your system's performance and behavior in the days following the removal to ensure that the malware doesn't return.
Important Considerations:
- Process Explorer: A more advanced tool than Task Manager, offering deeper insights into running processes, including their parent processes, DLLs they use, and network connections.
- Rootkits: Some malware are rootkits and are very difficult to remove. You may need specialized tools or professional help.
- False Positives: Be cautious about deleting files that are identified as malware. Always research suspicious files online before deleting them to avoid removing legitimate system files.
- Professional Help: If you're not comfortable with manually removing malware, seek help from a qualified computer technician or security professional.
