RogueKiller (64 bit)

RogueKiller (64 bit)

Tigzy’s RogueKiller scans your PC for malicious processes and kills them on command so you can root them out. Although it deletes malicious Startup files, RogueKiller doesn’t clean your system. Instead, it recommends Malwarebytes’ AntiMalware freeware for the task. We agree. RogueKiller also packs tools to fix Host, Proxy, and DNS issues, as well as a Shortcuts cleaner. We tried RogueKiller 64+ for 64-bit Windows.

Quit all running processes before opening RogueKiller. The program’s interface is fairly plain but nicely rendered. Tabs display and sort scan results for Processes, Registry, Hosts, Proxy, DNS, Driver, Files, MBR, and Shortcuts by name, status, and other attributes. Options include Tools and Reports, as well as checkboxes for MBR Scan, Check FAKED, and AntiRootkit scans. All are enabled by default, but deselecting unnecessary steps can speed up scans. Not that RogueKiller’s scans are slow! Just the opposite, but at least ours were fast compared to similar tools. The program starts with a prescan that asks permission to share anonymous data with the developer (or you can quit RogueKiller). Next, the full scan. Ours finished sooner than expected yet still found three little PUPs to delete (which we did). Clicking “Report” produced a comprehensive text-based log file. A pop-up warned us that the Shortcut Fixer restores hidden files from the hard drive and should only be used to restore your desktop from a Fake HDD rogue infection; so we filed the information in hopes that we’ll never need it! When RogueKiller finished, we ran AntiMalware to remove all infections permanently, as recommended.

We’re glad RogueKiller 64+ didn’t find any serious threats, and what it did find we were happy to see tossed. This free program can pull its weight on any security team, and 64-bit performance ices the cake.