What tool is typically used as a last resort for addressing malware infections?

Bootable antivirus (AV) solutions are specifically designed to operate outside of the operating system that is currently infected by malware. When operating systems are compromised, standard malware scanners may be ineffective because they rely on the operating system to run. Bootable AV tools can scan and remove malware from the system before the operating system loads, which allows them to effectively address stubborn infections that are deeply embedded or obstructing standard remediation processes.

These tools are used as a last resort because they require booting the system from an external medium, such as a USB drive or CD. This process is generally more involved than simply running an antivirus program within the operating system and may lead to data loss or require backups if the malware has caused significant system damage.

In contrast, malware scanners typically operate within the host OS and may not be able to detect or remove active threats effectively. Firewalls primarily focus on controlling network traffic and aren't designed to remove malware from a system. Network monitors help track and analyze network traffic but do not directly address malware on individual devices. Thus, bootable AV is the appropriate choice for effectively tackling severe malware infections when other methods have failed.