How To Detect If All Malware Is Gone From Your PC

Everyone knows that using an antivirus will remove malware and viruses. But how can you be certain all threats have been dealt with, especially when a lot of malware is designed to hide itself?

Here are some steps you can follow to check for persistent malware:

1. Scan your PC with a reputable antivirus software

Run a full system scan using reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any malware on your computer. Make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date and has the latest virus definitions. If possible, use more than one antivirus, because different tools have different capabilities.

Malware doesn’t just infect the drive containing Windows. Make sure to scan all secondary hard drives, external drives, and other removable storage devices.

2. Check running processes

Right-click the Start button and open the Task Manager. Now, look to see if any suspicious processes are running. If you’re not sure what a process does, search for it online to determine if it’s legitimate.

Pay special attention to any that are using a lot of memory or CPU or are fluctuating in their resources.

3. Clear suspicious startup programs

Look at the list of startup programs to see if any suspicious programs are set to run at startup. Disable any programs that you don’t recognize or are suspicious of. You can also disable programs you do not wish to run to improve performance.

To do this, right-click the Windows button and open Task Manager. Then click the Startup tab and right-click any program to find the Disable option.

4. Verify the system files

1. Use the Windows Search bar and type cmd start Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow. This will start the system file checker scan process.
3. Wait for the process to finish, which can take several minutes.

Use the System File Checker tool to check for and repair any corrupt or missing system files. Malware can often modify or delete important system files, so this step can help ensure that your system is clean.

5. Monitor the network activity

1. Use the Windows Search bar and type cmd to launch Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: netstat -a. This will display a list of all active network connections.

Use a network monitoring tool to check for any unusual network activity. Malware often communicates with a controlling server, so monitoring network activity can help identify any suspicious connections.

6. Monitor for recurring issues

After performing these steps, monitor your computer for any recurring issues, such as performance problems, unexpected pop-ups or redirects, or other unusual behavior. If you notice any issues, it may indicate that some malware is still present.

7. Turn on real-time protection

If it wasn’t enabled beforehand, always turn on real-time protection following malware removal. That way, your antivirus will detect any incoming threats and prevent leftover malware from trying to modify the system again.

Use Fortect to repair Malware damage

It is not always enough to remove malware because the system can remain damaged, leading to poor performance and instability. These weaknesses also make it easier for malware to spread in the future.

Tools like Fortect diagnose and repair all common Windows problems, returning your system to its optimal condition.

Once you have removed malware, follow these steps to fortify your computer:

1. Download and Install Fortecton your PC.
2. Start a Scan to detect corrupt system files and other Windows issues.
3. Click Start Repair to begin fixing these problems.

It’s not always clear whether your antivirus removed all the malware on your system. However, by running a few checks and making sure Windows is on full working order, you can reduce the chances that threats are still lurking.