Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

On 08/25/2018 3:03 PM, Louis Fabron wrote:
I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?


You can try Adwcleater and Malwarebyts, See if they help.

Rene

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

On 08/25/2018 3:12 PM, Rene Lamontagne wrote:
On 08/25/2018 3:03 PM, Louis Fabron wrote:
I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans
but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware
checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?


You can try Adwcleater and Malwarebyts, See if they help.

Rene

Typo. Adwcleaner not cleater


Rene

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

On Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:15:56 -0500, Rene Lamontagne
wrote:

On 08/25/2018 3:12 PM, Rene Lamontagne wrote:
On 08/25/2018 3:03 PM, Louis Fabron wrote:
I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans
but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware
checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?


You can try Adwcleater and Malwarebyts, See if they help.

Rene

Typo. Adwcleaner not cleater


Rene

And Malwarebytes :)
--
JT

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

On 08/25/2018 4:05 PM, Justin Tyme wrote:
On Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:15:56 -0500, Rene Lamontagne
wrote:

On 08/25/2018 3:12 PM, Rene Lamontagne wrote:
On 08/25/2018 3:03 PM, Louis Fabron wrote:
I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans
but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware
checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?


You can try Adwcleater and Malwarebyts, See if they help.

Rene

Typo. Adwcleaner not cleater


Rene

And Malwarebytes :)


Boy, my spelling is atrocious today. :-)


Rene

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

Rene Lamontagne wrote:

Typo. Adwcleaner not cleater


Rene

And Malwarebytes :)


Boy, my spelling is atrocious today. :-)

What's the difference?
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Malwarebytes mwb description
"Multiple layers of malware-crushing tech, including virus protection.
Thorough malware and spyware removal. Specialized ransomware protection."

Malwarebytes adwcleaner description
"The world¢s most popular adware cleaner finds and removes unwanted
programs and junkware so your online experience stays optimal and
hassle-free."

They seem to be the same thing.
What's the difference?

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

In alt.comp.os.windows-10, on Sat, 25 Aug 2018 16:19:21 -0500, Rene
Lamontagne wrote:

On 08/25/2018 4:05 PM, Justin Tyme wrote:
On Sat, 25 Aug 2018 15:15:56 -0500, Rene Lamontagne
wrote:

On 08/25/2018 3:12 PM, Rene Lamontagne wrote:
On 08/25/2018 3:03 PM, Louis Fabron wrote:
I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans
but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware
checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?


You can try Adwcleater and Malwarebyts, See if they help.

Rene

Typo. Adwcleaner not cleater


Rene

And Malwarebytes :)


Boy, my spelling is atrocious today. :-)


Rene

I thought that's how you spelled them in French.

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

"Louis Fabron" wrote in message ...

I have a slow desktop where I may just reinstall Windows 10 which is
probably the best way to fix it.

But if I can't easily reinstall Windows 10 I'll run some malware scans but
they make me crazy by false reports (for example, malwarebytes flags the
common mvp hosts file as trojan.agent malware).

The windows malicious software removal tool heuristics found uninstalled
programs as malware, so, that's not useful either (as they were automatic
hostname changers).

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?


Before others have you running off in 10 directions loading up a live distro
(Linux) to narrow down the problem - try some of these steps first.

1. Do you know if the system is slow because of malware or has it run Win10
faster in the past?
2. MalwareBytes may be giving a false positive so I would make sure you are
running the latest version. If it still hits on the host file then maybe it
has a URL in it that is on a blacklist. I would let MalwareBytes quarantine
whatever it finds and see's if that improves performance.
3. I would also recommend you run Norton Power Eraser - it's free
https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

There are many other steps that can be done to verify what your system is
doing and why and you are about to get a whole lot of those ideas from
others - so try the easy stuff first.

One step you should perform when trying to determine performance issues is
to minimize the system to the bare necessities. Remove USB connections,
network connections and take out any add-on boards that may have been
installed as well as reduce the memory sticks (if possible) installed and
swapping those around to see if they influence performance before you resort
to reinstalling Win10.

You may have to in the end but at least try to understand why that step is
necessary.
--


Bob S.

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

Bob_S wrote:

1. Do you know if the system is slow because of malware or has it run Win10
faster in the past?
2. MalwareBytes may be giving a false positive so I would make sure you are
running the latest version. If it still hits on the host file then maybe it
has a URL in it that is on a blacklist. I would let MalwareBytes quarantine
whatever it finds and see's if that improves performance.
3. I would also recommend you run Norton Power Eraser - it's free
https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

Thank you for that advice and questions.

I don't know why the system is irregularily slow.
Everything scanning is brand new so they are all updated.
So is the Windows 10 operating system up to date as of today.

I'm running a long Windows malicious softawre tool scan now (very long).
That have found 1 "files infected" but it won't let me see it yet.
It is still running on many hours & I have to wait for it to stop first.

Malwarebytes mwb reported only the hosts file.

I ran Norton power eraser which only found three things but they were
registry changes I made myself so I know what they are.

So far this seems to be the suggested free malware scan apps.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down...l-details.aspx

Malwarebytes mwb
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Malwarebytes adwcleaner
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

Norton Powererase
https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

The only one that found anything that I don't know yet is the Microsoft
msrt which is running on hours so I have to wait to find what it found.

Any others I can run to clean up a system that I don't know why is slow?

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

Louis Fabron wrote in news:plsirc$b7$1
@gioia.aioe.org:


What's the difference?
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Malwarebytes mwb description
"Multiple layers of malware-crushing tech, including virus protection.
Thorough malware and spyware removal. Specialized ransomware protection."

Malwarebytes adwcleaner description
"The world¢s most popular adware cleaner finds and removes unwanted
programs and junkware so your online experience stays optimal and
hassle-free."

They seem to be the same thing.
What's the difference?

Malwarebytes is the more general protector. It looks for the entire
spectrum of possible bad software.

Adwcleaner is more specialized to the specific malware and just obnoxious
junk advertisers try to drop onto your PC.

Without looking into it I don't know if they are separate but equal
programs, or if adwcleaner is a subset of malwarebytes that is available by
itself.

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

"Louis Fabron" wrote in message ...

Bob_S wrote:

1. Do you know if the system is slow because of malware or has it run
Win10
faster in the past?
2. MalwareBytes may be giving a false positive so I would make sure you
are
running the latest version. If it still hits on the host file then maybe
it
has a URL in it that is on a blacklist. I would let MalwareBytes
quarantine
whatever it finds and see's if that improves performance.
3. I would also recommend you run Norton Power Eraser - it's free
https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

Thank you for that advice and questions.

I don't know why the system is irregularily slow.
Everything scanning is brand new so they are all updated.
So is the Windows 10 operating system up to date as of today.

I'm running a long Windows malicious softawre tool scan now (very long).
That have found 1 "files infected" but it won't let me see it yet.
It is still running on many hours & I have to wait for it to stop first.

Malwarebytes mwb reported only the hosts file.

I ran Norton power eraser which only found three things but they were
registry changes I made myself so I know what they are.

So far this seems to be the suggested free malware scan apps.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down...l-details.aspx

Malwarebytes mwb
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Malwarebytes adwcleaner
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/

Norton Powererase
https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

The only one that found anything that I don't know yet is the Microsoft
msrt which is running on hours so I have to wait to find what it found.

Any others I can run to clean up a system that I don't know why is slow?


Okay while MRT is scanning and found at least one problem so far, here's an
exercise for you to do that will be useful if MRT doesn't fix the problem.

Right-click on an empty space on the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen and
select "Start Task Manager".

Select the "Performance" tab for a quick look at what MRT is doing to your
system resources right now. CPU, Memory, Disks...

Now select the "Processes" tab to see what is causing all the activity.
Along the top you will see a percentage usage for CPU, Memory, Disk and
Network.

Click on the CPU row and it will sort showing the highest / lowest usage
process and you should see "Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal
Tool" using the most CPU resources.

So now you have an idea of what you can see using the Task Manager. There
are other tabs and a host of info can be gleaned by using this tool. It
would also take a book to tell you everything.

When MRT has stopped running, look for other processes that are using huge
amounts of resources - or you may even see some running now using more
resources. That will be your first clue as to what is making your system
run slow.

If MRT fixes things - you're golden and your system speed should be back to
normal. But if not, what processes are running that are using all the
resources?

If you have other anti-malware software running in the background, try
stopping it from running and see what other processes are still eating the
resources.

Also MRT does hit on a lot of valid 3rd party software - especially
utilities that you may have downloaded and installed. They also could have
been the Trojan that allowed malware on your system. But sorting that out
can take longer than just letting MRT run. But if you do cancel the
operation, you do get a look at the list it's checking against to see if it
shows the infection.

MRT is not anti-malware and checks for specific malware and often has false
positives too. So when it ends or you end it, go back to looking at the
Task Manager to get a clue as to what is eating the resources and slowing
your system down.

And it's a slippery slope all the way down.....
--


Bob S.

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

Rene Lamontagne wrote:

Boy, my spelling is atrocious today. :-)

Got you beat, my spelling is atrocious EVERY day, I rely on spell
checkers...

--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

On 08/26/2018 1:12 PM, XS11E wrote:
Rene Lamontagne wrote:

Boy, my spelling is atrocious today. :-)

Got you beat, my spelling is atrocious EVERY day, I rely on spell
checkers...


Me too but my spellchecker doesn't know all the good words. :-)

Rene

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

Louis Fabron wrote:

The only one that found anything that I don't know yet is the Microsoft
msrt which is running on hours so I have to wait to find what it found.

After more than 25 hours it finally finished and said it was clean.
https://image.ibb.co/k7HxA9/mstool01.jpg

Even though in the very beginning it said 1 infected file was found.
https://image.ibb.co/kzQjq9/mstool00.jpg

That mysterious "infected file" never showed up in the final output.

So everything is clean according to the four suggested tools
malwarebytes adwcleaner & malwarebytes mwb & norton powereraser the MS
malicious software removal tool.

If there is another known good reliable freeware tool for running a malware
scan let me know otherwise I'll give up at this point given the four
suggested tools already said it is clean.

Best free malware scanners for Windows 10?
 

Louis Fabron wrote:

Can you give me advice on some of the best free Windows 10 malware checkers
to try next that don't have so many false flag reports?

These seem to be the best, so far, all of which came up essentially blank.'
Malwarebytes
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner/
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/
Norton
https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html
Microsoft
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down...l-details.aspx
Spybot
https://www.safer-networking.org/pro...-free-edition/
Combofix (but it won't run on Win10 - Win8 & Win7 are ok)
https://combofix.org/download

I also tried hijackthis but it doesn't clean. It just logs.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/hjt...atest/download

The most complicated was spybot which was about as complicated as the virus
scanners are such as avg or avast or windows defender (I'm running windows
defender). All spybotsd found was 'third party cookies' in Internet
Explorer, caches in a couple browsers, and history in a few.