00:00Hey everyone, and welcome back to the channel.
00:03Today, we're re-diving deep into a topic that is more relevant than ever as we head into 2026.
00:11Advanced malware removal and system hardening for Windows 10 and 11.
00:16The threat landscape is constantly evolving, with new, sophisticated malware emerging daily.
00:23What worked last year might not be enough today.
00:26So, whether you suspect you have an infection or just want to bulletproof your system, you've come to the right
00:34place.
00:35We're going beyond the basic run-a-scan advice.
00:39We'll cover deep system analysis, manual decontamination techniques, and the best practices to keep you safe in this new era
00:47of cybersecurity.
00:49Let's get started.
00:51First things first, how do you even know if you're infected?
00:55The signs can be subtle.
00:57Maybe your system is unusually slow, you're seeing strange pop-ups, or your browser's homepage has mysteriously changed.
01:06Don't ignore these red flags.
01:08The first step is to disconnect your computer from the internet.
01:13Unplug that Ethernet cable or turn off your Wi-Fi.
01:16This immediately stops the malware from communicating with its command and control server, preventing further data exfiltration, or downloading additional
01:27malicious payloads.
01:28It's like cutting off the enemy's supply line.
01:31Once you're offline, we can begin our investigation without external interference.
01:37Now, let's get our hands dirty with some analysis.
01:41The first tool in our arsenal is the task manager.
01:45Hit Control Shifters Scape to bring it up.
01:48Go to the Processes and Details tabs.
01:51Sort by CPU, Memory, and Disk Usage.
01:55Look for anything that seems out of place.
01:58A process with a bizarre name, no description, or one that's consuming an absurd amount of resources is a major
02:06suspect.
02:07Right-click on a suspicious process and select Open File Location.
02:12This will show you where the executable is hiding.
02:15Also, check the Startup tab in Task Manager or the more detailed Autoruns tool from Microsoft S-Sysinternals suite.
02:25Malware loves to embed itself here to launch every time you boot up your PC.
02:31Disable any unrecognized entries.
02:34This won't delete the malware, but it will stop it from running automatically, which is a critical step.
02:41Next, we move to a more powerful tool.
02:44Process Explorer, another gem from the Sysinternals suite.
02:49Think of it as Task Manager on steroids.
02:52It gives you a hierarchical view of processes, showing you which process launched another.
02:58This is invaluable for tracing the origin of a malicious activity.
03:03One of its best features is the integration with Viperistotal.
03:07You can configure Process Explorer to check the hash of every running process against.
03:12By Viperistotal S-Massive database of antivirus engines, any process flagged by multiple engines is almost certainly malicious.
03:23Make a note of these suspicious files and their locations.
03:27Don't delete anything just yet.
03:29We need to be systematic.
03:32Rushing in and deleting files randomly can break your system.
03:37We are still in the evidence-gathering phase.
03:40With a list of suspects, it's time to boot into safe mode with networking.
03:45Restart your PC and as it boots, hold down the shift key while clicking restart from the power options.
03:53This will take you to the Advanced Startup menu, where you can choose to boot into safe mode.
04:00Why safe mode?
04:01It loads windows with only the essential drivers and services.
04:05Most malware isn't configured to run in this environment, making it much easier to remove.
04:12Once in safe mode, reconnect to the internet.
04:16We need it for the next step.
04:18The Deep Scan
04:19For our Deep Scan, we're going to use a multi-layered approach.
04:24Your primary antivirus might have missed the threat, so we need a second and even a third opinion.
04:31I recommend using on-demand second opinion scanners like Malwarebytes, Hitman Pro or MCSoft Emergency Kit.
04:39These are designed to coexist with your main antivirus and are excellent at finding threats others miss.
04:46Download and run full scans with at least two of these tools.
04:51They will likely find and quarantine a lot of the nasty stuff.
04:55Let them do their work.
04:57A full scan can take a while, so be patient.
05:01This is the heavy artillery that will clear out the bulk of the infection.
05:05After the automated scans are complete, it's time for manual clean-up.
05:10This is where we go back to the notes we took earlier, using Task Manager and Process Explorer.
05:17We have the file paths of the malware that the automated scanners might have missed.
05:22Still in safe mode, navigate to these locations.
05:26These files are often hidden in temporary folders, app data or disguised with system-like names in the Windows directory.
05:35Be very careful here.
05:37Before deleting, double-check the file name online to ensure it's not a legitimate system file.
05:44When you are 100% certain it's malware, delete it.
05:48Permanently delete it by holding Shift while pressing Delete.
05:53Next, we need to clean the registry.
05:55Open the registry editor by typing Regidit in the run box.
06:00Search for the names of the malware files and any related suspicious keys you identified.
06:07Again, be extremely cautious.
06:09Deleting the wrong registry key can render your system unbooktable.
06:14If you're not comfortable with this, it's better to use a reputable registry cleaner after the malware is gone.
06:20But manual removal is more thorough.
06:23Once the system is clean, we need to secure it to prevent this from happening again.
06:28First, reset all your passwords.
06:31Assume that every password you've typed on the infected machine has been compromised.
06:37That means your email, banking, social media, everything.
06:42Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for each account.
06:48Enable two-factor authentication or 2FA everywhere you can.
06:53This adds a critical layer of security that can stop a hacker even if they have your password.
07:00It's one of the single most effective security measures you can take.
07:04Now, let's harden Windows itself.
07:07Make sure Windows Update is on and set to automatic.
07:12The latest security patches are non-negotiable.
07:15Dive into your privacy settings and turn off unnecessary data sharing and ad tracking.
07:21Use a standard user account for your daily activities instead of an administrator account.
07:27This limits the damage malware can do if it does manage to get in.
07:32Only use the admin account when you need to install software or change system settings.
07:38In Windows Security, ensure your firewall is active and take a look at controlled folder access.
07:45This feature can prevent ransomware from encrypting your personal files.
07:51You can specify which applications are allowed to make changes to your protected folders.
07:57It's a powerful defense.
07:59Thinking about network security, your router is the gateway to your digital world.
08:05Log in to your router's admin panel and change the default password immediately.
08:11Ensure its firmware is up to date.
08:14Use WPA3 encryption for your Wi-Fi if your router supports it, or WAPR2 at a minimum.
08:22Disable features like WPS, which can be a security risk.
08:27Consider using a reputable VPN, especially on public Wi-Fi.
08:33A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it unreadable to anyone snooping on the network.
08:39It's an essential tool for privacy and security in 2026.
08:44Finally, the most important security layer is you.
08:49Practice smart computing habits.
08:51Be skeptical of unsolicited emails and attachments.
08:56Don't click on suspicious links.
08:58Only download software from official websites or trusted sources.
09:03In 2026, social engineering and phishing are more sophisticated than ever, often using AI to create highly convincing scams.
09:14The best defense is a healthy dose of suspicion and common sense.
09:18Keep regular backups of your important data on an external drive or a cloud service.
09:24A good backup is your ultimate safety net.
09:27If the worst happens and your system is completely compromised, you can always wipe it and restore your data without
09:35losing everything.
09:37There you have it, a comprehensive guide to malware removal and system security for Windows in 2026.
09:44We went from identifying the infection to manual decontamination and hardening your defenses for the future.
09:52It's a lot to take in, but by being proactive, you can stay ahead of the threats.
09:58If you found this guide helpful, please hit that like button, subscribe for more tech deep dives and share it
10:05with someone who might need it.
10:07Stay safe out there and I'll see you in the next video.
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