Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and managing pestware are described. In one variation, a secondary operating system operates simultaneously with a primary operating system of a computer, and an anti-pestware application or service utilizes the secondary operating system to scan for indicia of pestware-related activity that may adversely affect a primary operating system of the computer.

Abstract: A system and method for managing pestware is described. In one embodiment the method includes monitoring the receipt of a file at the protected computer, monitoring processes created on the protected computer, identifying at least one of the processes as a process that is generated from the file, monitoring activity of the process, comparing activity of the at least one process with factors indicative of pestware and managing the file and the at least one process based upon the comparison of the activity of the at least one process with the factors.