Provide to me the steps of identifying malicious processes running on a Windows or Linux computer?

Question

Any response is appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

For identifying malicious processes on windows or Linux computer:

1. Monitor system resources for unusual activity.

2. Use antivirus or antimalware software to scan for suspicious processes.

3.Check system logs for any unauthorized or abnormal activity.

Answer 2

Here are the steps to identify malicious processes on a Windows or Linux Computer:

1) Use Task Manager: Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Look for suspicious processes under the Processes tab and pay attention to CPU and memory usage. 

2) Utilize Resource Monitor: Resource Monitor provides more detailed information about running processes, including network activity. Look for any unusual network connections or high disk activity. 

3) Use PowerShell: Open PowerShell as an administrator and execute commands like Get-Process, Get-NetTCPConnection, or Get-NetUDPEndpoint to gather process and network-related information. Analyze the output for any suspicious processes or connections.

4) Review Autoruns: Use Sysinternals Autoruns to examine all programs configured to run during system bootup or login. Look for any unfamiliar entries. 

5) Scan with Antivirus Software: Run a full system scan using reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any malware or suspicious files. 

6) Analyze Event Logs: Check Windows Event Viewer for any unusual events related to process execution or system changes. 

Steps to find Malicious Processes on Linux:

1) Use System Monitor: Open System Monitor or use the top command in the terminal to see running processes and their resource usage. Look for processes using a lot of CPU or memory. 

2) Check System Logs: Look at system logs in /var/log/ directory like syslog, auth.log, and kern.log, for any strange activities or errors. 

3) Utilize Terminal Commands: Use commands like ps, netstat, lsof, and ss to get info on running processes, network connections, and open files. Check for any unusual processes or connections. 

4) Inspect Startup Processes: Check startup processes and services set to run at boot time, usually in /etc/init.d/ or /etc/systemd/system/.

5) Use Rootkit Detection Tools: Use tools like rkhunter or chrootkit to scan for rootkits or other malware hiding on the system.

6) Audit Cron Jobs: Check cron jobs set up on the system using crontab -l or by looking at /etc/crontab and /etc/cron.* directories for any suspicious entries

7) Scan for Open Ports: Use tools like nmap to scan for open ports and find any unexpected services running on the system. 

8) Review File Integrity: Compare file hashes or use tools like tripwire or AIDE to watch file integrity and find unauthorized changes to file systems. 

9) Check User Accounts: Look at user accounts on the system and make sure there are no unauthorized or suspicious accounts. 

Remember to stay alert, update systems with the latest security patches, and teach users about security risks and best practices. Think about using Intrusion Detection Systems or Security Information and Event Management solutions for proactive threat detection and response.