RogueKiller is a free portable malware removal tool that specializes in the removal of rogue software (that pretends to be useful software but actually is very harmful). It is able to detect and remove generic malware and some advanced threats such as rootkits, rogues, worms etc. It is based on some of the very generic detection methods like behavioral analysis, heuristics, signature based detection and some undocumented hacks. Using these methods, RogueKiller can find and remove many of the basic malware and a few of the advanced threats.
You can download RogueKiller from the Adlice website. The download is available for both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of Windows. You can just download the program and run it – it is completely standalone program, there is nothing to install. When it runs for the first time, you have to accept the end user licensing agreement (EULA). You can select whether you want to scan the MBR, faked files or rootkits. After a quick pre-scan is performed by RogueKiller, you can start scanning your system for malware by clicking on the Scan button.
After the scan is over, it lists suspicious items found in various locations on your computer. It lists suspicious processes, registry entries, hosts file entries, proxy hijacks, DNS hijacks, drivers, files, MBR records etc. At this point, you have to be extra careful to identify the malicious entries and hit the Delete button to remove those entries. If you are in doubt, do not delete anything.
RogueKiller also has options to restore and fix your HOSTS file, Proxy entries, and DNS server entries by clicking on the respective buttons. It automatically terminates the running processes related to known malware so that you can easily use the anti-malware software like MBAM (Malwarebytes Anti-Malware).
RogueKiller is an advanced malware removal tool and should only be used in conjunction with anti-malware software like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or Super Antispyware. It is clearly not recommended for the beginner users because they may end up deleting wrong items making the operating system unstable. But if you are an advanced Windows user, then you can use it to terminate the malicious processes and create ground for signature based malware removal tools.
Conclusion: RogueKiller can detect and remove generic threats and some of the more advanced malware such as worms, rootkits and rogueware. But it is not a replacement of a full fledged anti-malware or anti-virus program. It should be used as an extra tool to fight malware in addition to your regular anti-virus product.
You can download RogueKiller from http://www.adlice.com/softwares/roguekiller/.