Systems and methods for managing multiple related pestware processes on a protected computer are described. One embodiment is configured to identify a location of each of a plurality of files in at least one file storage device of the protected computer and store a list of the location of each of the plurality of files. The list of the plurality of files is then sorted so as to generate a sorted list. Each of the plurality of files is then sequentially accessed as listed in the sorted list so as to retrieve information from each of the plurality of files. Information from the plurality of files is then analyzed to determine whether any of the plurality of files are potential pestware files. In variations, the files in the file storage device are enumerated, and information from the files is accessed, by circumventing the operating system of the protected computer.