Complete guide to identifying malicious processes in Windows 11 and protecting your computer

Do you notice that your computer with Windows 11 is going slower than usualAre you worried that a suspicious process is consuming your computer's resources for no apparent reason? Don't worry, detecting and eliminating processes that may be malware is easier than it seems if you know where to look and what tools to use.

In this comprehensive guide we tell you all the effective ways to Identify malicious processes on your Windows 11 PC, using both the system's own tools and resources and information from experts in ciberseguridad and official bodies.

Why is it important to identify malicious processes in Windows 11?

Background processes They are the heart of any operating system, including the latest version of Windows. However, not all processes running on your computer are legitimate: Malware also disguises itself as seemingly normal processes, taking advantage of any carelessness to act without you noticing.. These processes can slow down your computer, consume excessive resources, or jeopardize your privacy and security.

With the arrival of Windows 11, security has been improved, but it is never free from threats.; that's why, Learning to recognize and respond to suspicious processes is essential. to protect both your information and the smooth operation of your equipment.

Main symptoms that indicate the presence of malware on your PC

Before you start analyzing processes one by one, it is useful to know how an infection or the presence of malicious applications generally manifests itself.The most common symptoms that lead to suspicion of malware or unwanted processes are:

• Much slower performance than usual in everyday tasks or when starting applications
• Abnormally high CPU, RAM, or battery usage.
• An unexpected increase in network or data usage.
• Pop-ups, program crashes, or sudden shutdowns.
• The appearance of applications that you don't remember installing or unusual error messages.

These indicators are often associated with the activity of malware processes running in the background. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it's time to investigate further.

Step by Step: How to Identify Suspicious Processes with Task Manager

El Task Manager It's one of the most basic and effective Windows tools for finding out what's going on inside your computer. Here's how to use it to detect potential malicious processes:

1. Quick access: Right-click on the “Start” icon and select 'Task Manager', or press the keys Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose the same option from the menu.
2. Check the “Processes” tab: Here you can view all active processes and their resource consumption in real time, including CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
3. Identify the suspicious: Ask yourself: Do I recognize all of these processes? Are any of them using excessive resources for no clear reason?
4. Investigate further: Right-click any process you don't recognize and select "Properties." This way, you can see its source path, creation date, and check if it's associated with any installed applications.
5. Check online: Use sites like file.net to search for information on suspicious process names and see if they've been reported as dangerous.

If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a process, it's best to seek information before terminating it, as you could shut down something essential to the system.

Differences between malicious and legitimate processes in Windows 11

Recognizing whether a process is malware requires learning to distinguish between system-specific processes and those from installed applications.Some useful tips:

• Windows processes usually have clear names (explorer.exe, svchost.exe, etc.) and paths within the Windows folder.
• Processes with random, misspelled, or overly generic names (for example, “abc123xyz.exe” or “system32update.exe”) may raise suspicions.
• Note the location of the file; Legitimate files are usually located in "C:\Windows" or "Program Files". If their location is strange, for example, a temporary or downloads, there is reason to suspect.
• Resource consumption is a key clue: A little-known process taking up a lot of CPU, memory, or networking deserves immediate review.

What to do if you detect a suspicious process

Once you locate a process that seems abnormal, you can act from the Task Manager itself. You have these options:

• Right-click and select “End Task” to stop execution (Caution! Only do this if you are sure it is something fraudulent or unimportant to the system).
• Scan your computer immediately using your antivirus or Windows Defender to check if the file is infected.
• If you've accidentally terminated a legitimate process, it will usually only close the associated application, or Windows will warn you if it was vital.

Ending a task may be a temporary solution, but it is always advisable to analyze the equipment in depth. afterwards to prevent the malware from restarting or remaining active after the next reboot.

Windows-specific utilities to detect and remove malware

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is the default security solution for Windows 11. and is effective at detecting and eliminating a wide range of threats. Its key features include:

• Quick, comprehensive, or customized analysis: You can choose the depth level.
• Real time detection, monitoring everything that happens in the system.
• Automatic quarantine of dangerous files found during scans.

To start a quick scan, open Settings, go to Privacy & security, select Windows Security, then go to Virus & threat protection and choose one of the available scan options.

Microsoft Software Removal Tool (MSRT)

MSRT, the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, comes pre-installed on Windows 11 and is updated periodically through Windows UpdateAlthough it's not a substitute for antivirus software, it's very useful for removing certain types of malware already present on your computer, such as active viruses, worms, or Trojans.

How to use it? Simply:

• Press the Windows + R keys to open the “Run” window.
• Write mrt and hit Enter.
• Authorize permissions when Windows prompts you.
• Follow the steps to choose the type of scan: quick, full, or custom.
• The program will scan your system and, if it detects malware, allow you to easily remove it.

MSRT is designed to remove widespread malware, but it doesn't detect spyware or perform real-time scanning, so it's recommended to use it with an updated antivirus.

Update Windows and security tools constantly

The best defense will always be to keep both Windows 11 and security tools updated. to reduce the risk of infection. To do this, enable automatic updates from How to use DISM to repair Windows and ensure that there are no outstanding vulnerabilities.

Also, check that all installed apps come from trusted sources and uninstall any you don't recognize or don't use regularly. Many infections arrive through untrustworthy programs downloaded from the Internet or compromised external devices.

What to do if you detect a malicious process: practical steps to eliminate malware

If after all these steps you still suspect that your computer is compromised, follow this outline:

1. End the suspicious process from Task Manager.
2. Perform a deep scan with Windows Defender or your trusted antivirus.
3. Use the MSRT tool to get a second opinion and eliminate potential persistent threats.
4. Research the process name and origin on specialized websites like file.net to see if there are any reports of its danger.
5. Consider restoring your system to a point before the infection or reinstalling Windows if the infection is severe.

Remember: Never download miracle solutions from unknown sites or links sent by email or messaging; they could make the problem worse.

Advice from expert cybersecurity organizations

INCIBE (National Cybersecurity Institute) and OSI (Internet Security Office) recommend regularly monitoring running processes and using official channels to resolve questions or receive specialized help if you suspect you have malware on your computer.

• Check out the OSI's specialized channel for resources, tips, and step-by-step guides.
• If you need urgent help, you can call 017 free of charge, INCIBE's cybersecurity helpline, or contact them by WhatsApp the Telegram.

What to do if you notice symptoms of malware but don't see any strange processes?

Sometimes malicious processes are very well camouflaged and do not appear clearly in the Task Manager.If you continue to experience unexplained slowness, high resource usage, or unusual disconnections, in addition to scanning your computer with tools like MSRT and Defender, consider:

• Perform an offline analysis with Windows Defender to detect hidden threats.
• Use additional tools specialized in spyware or rootkits if you suspect more advanced infections.
• Update or change all passwords that you use on the device in case malware has accessed them.

Opening suspicious attachments, downloading from unofficial sites, or using memory cards USB foreign bacteria can be the main cause of infections that are difficult to detect with the naked eye.

Additional resources and support channels for home users

If after all these steps you still have doubts or you cannot clean your computerRemember that there are free public channels where you can receive personalized help, such as INCIBE's 017 hotline, both by phone and text message.

Additionally, there are portals and guides where you can consult specific procedures, updated recommendations, and news about new threats to stay informed and always act as quickly as possible.

Identifying and removing malicious processes in Windows 11 is possible if you follow some basic guidelines and use the right tools. Prevention, constant updating, and paying attention to symptoms are key to keeping your computer safe and running smoothly. If you have any questions or persistent problems, don't hesitate to contact professionals or official cybersecurity support channels.

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Sysinternals Suite on Windows: What it is and what it's really for

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.