In the image below, we can see that Autoruns is made up of multiple tabs that each contain data regarding an autostart mechanism. To do this, it can make use of many legitimate Windows features that allow the software to launch at boot.ĭirectory Environments E-Book Autoruns: The Basics Once a machine is powered down, the malware needs a mechanism to continue running on the device. If a device has been compromised, then any installed malware will also need to be able to survive a reboot. Legitimate software will often launch when a machine is powered on - Outlook is a prime example as users checking their email is often the first thing people do when logging onto their device.
Understanding how to use Autoruns means you may be able to detect if your home PC is infected with unwanted software.