HijackThis

Overview

HijackThis (HJT) is an open-source system diagnostic tool originally developed by Merijn Bellekom and later acquired by Trend Micro. It scans a Windows system for browser hijackers, spyware, and other unauthorized modifications, generating a detailed log that helps users and security experts analyze and remove malicious entries.

Unlike traditional antivirus software, HijackThis does not automatically remove threats; instead, it provides a report for manual analysis, allowing advanced users to make informed decisions about potential malware.

Features

Scans and lists system modifications, including browser settings and startup entries.
Identifies registry changes, toolbars, browser helper objects (BHOs), and malicious startup programs.
Provides an in-depth log for manual malware analysis.
Allows users to selectively remove suspicious entries.
Open-source and actively maintained by the community.

Compatibility

HijackThis is compatible with:

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

Although still available, its effectiveness against modern threats has diminished due to evolving malware techniques.

Usage

Download HijackThis from the official SourceForge page.
Run the executable as an administrator (no installation required).
Click "Scan" to generate a log of system modifications.
Review the log or submit it to security forums for expert analysis.
Manually remove unwanted entries if necessary (use caution).

Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Provides detailed system analysis for detecting malware.
✔ Portable and does not require installation.
✔ Open-source and free to use.

Cons

✘ Does not automatically remove malware.
✘ Requires advanced knowledge to interpret logs.
✘ Not effective against modern malware with advanced persistence techniques.

Alternative Software

FRST (Farbar Recovery Scan Tool) – A modern diagnostic tool for malware analysis.
AdwCleaner – Specialized in detecting adware and browser hijackers.
Autoruns – A Microsoft tool for managing startup programs and registry entries.

Developer

Original Author: Merijn Bellekom
Current Developer: Trend Micro (Later released as open-source)
Status: Open-source and available for download.