Emsisoft HiJackFree

Emsisoft HiJackFree is a simple-to-use application that detects malware activity and allows power users to eliminate it manually. It monitors active processes, services, ports, autorun entries, and other areas.

The interface's main window consists of a well-organized layout, where the areas are accessible through individual panels. Lists with all active apps are immediately loaded at startup.

For each process you can view its name, ID, CPU level, number of threads, used memory, default priority, location, visibility and signature status, and caption. The trusted ones are highlighted in green.

In case of processes and ports, you can terminate a selected item with the click of a button, as well as change its priority level.

The Autoruns section includes startup entries that belong to the Registry, startup files, and autostart menu, along with scheduled tools and "tricky" startups (e.g. WinLogon, AppInit DLL). In the Scheduler location you may find out the trigger for each process (e.g. registration, daily, boot).

Emsisoft HiJackFree also lets you start, stop, install or uninstall services, or alter their startup type (boot, system, manual, automatic, disabled). Other monitored areas contain Internet Explorer add-ons (toolbars, shell extensions and hooks, BHOs, ActiveX), LSP protocols, the Hosts file, and ActiveX entries.

The application provides detailed information on each process (except for the Processes module), filters (trusted Microsoft files, all trusted or signed, or all files), a search function for each section, exporting options (processes, autoruns, HJT compatible, XML) and online analysis tools, along with a file quarantine (restore, delete, submit for analysis, copy to safe location).

Emsisoft HiJackFree offers multilingual support and has an excellent reaction speed. Plus, it uses low CPU and RAM, so it doesn't interrupt normal activity. Emsisoft HiJackFree is a reliable tool for monitoring and controlling malware, but it is only suitable for advanced users.