Here’s a consolidated version of the README.md that includes installation, dependencies, API setup, usage, and testing all in one document:

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# Malware Scanner Tool

A Python-based malware scanning tool for Windows. This tool leverages VirusTotal, YARA rules, and heuristics to identify malicious files, suspicious registry entries, and anomalous processes. Additionally, it generates a visual map of damaged system areas.

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## Features
- **File Scanning**: Detects malicious files using SHA256 hashes and YARA rules.
- **Registry Scanning**: Identifies suspicious registry entries for further inspection.
- **Process Scanning**: Monitors active processes for anomalous activity.
- **Visualization**: Creates a graphical representation of damaged system areas using Matplotlib.

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## Step-by-Step Guide

### 1. Install Dependencies
To use the Malware Scanner Tool, install the required Python libraries:
```bash
pip install psutil requests matplotlib yara-python

Alternatively, use the requirements.txt file to install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

2. Set Up VirusTotal API Key

The scanner uses VirusTotal's API to validate file hashes. Follow these steps to set up:

1. Obtain a VirusTotal API Key:

   • Go to VirusTotal and create a free account.
   • Navigate to your account settings and copy your API key.

2. Add Your API Key:

   • Open scanner.py in any text editor.
   • Locate the following line:

     VIRUSTOTAL_API_KEY = "your_api_key_here"

   • Replace "your_api_key_here" with your actual API key.

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3. Usage Instructions

1. Run the Scanner: Start the scanner by running the following command in the terminal:

   python scanner.py

2. Provide the Directory to Scan: When prompted, enter the directory you wish to scan (e.g., C:\ for the entire C drive).

3. View Scan Results:

   • Log File: All findings will be logged in system_scan.log.
   • Visual Map: A graphical visualization of affected areas will be saved as damaged_areas_map.png.

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Example Workflow

> python scanner.py
Enter the directory to scan (e.g., C:\): C:\Users
Scanning directory: C:\Users
Suspicious file detected: C:\Users\example\malicious.exe
Malicious process detected: explorer.exe (C:\Windows\explorer.exe)
Registry entry flagged: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\example
Scan completed. Check system_scan.log for details.

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Testing the Tool

To ensure safe and reliable execution:

1. Test in a Virtual Machine: Run the tool in a sandboxed environment to mitigate risks.

2. Customize YARA Rules:

   • Add or edit YARA rules in the yara_rules/ directory.
   • Example rule (rules.yara):

     rule SuspiciousExecutable {
         strings:
             $malicious = "malware"
         condition:
             $malicious
     }

   • Reload the tool to apply updated rules.

3. Simulate Suspicious Files: Create harmless test files that match YARA rules or hashes to validate detection accuracy.

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Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Missing Dependencies:

   • Ensure all libraries are installed:

     pip install -r requirements.txt

2. VirusTotal API Key Errors:

   • Verify your API key is correctly set in scanner.py.
   • Ensure your VirusTotal account has not exceeded the daily request limit (500 for free accounts).

3. Permission Errors:

   • Run the script as an administrator to access restricted files or registry keys:

     python scanner.py

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Contributing

We welcome contributions! To contribute:

1. Fork the repository on GitHub.
2. Clone your forked repository:

   git clone https://github.com/<Astralchemist>/malware-scanner.git
   cd malware-scanner

3. Create a new branch for your feature:

   git checkout -b feature-name

4. Make your changes, commit, and push:

   git add .
   git commit -m "Add feature description"
   git push origin feature-name

5. Submit a Pull Request on GitHub.

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Disclaimer

This tool is for educational purposes only. It should be used responsibly and in compliance with applicable laws. Testing on unauthorized systems is prohibited.

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.