Secure.exe problems after last auto upgrade

From: Jason Garms [MSFT] (jasong_at_microsoft.com)
Date: 04/30/03


Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 00:13:28 -0700


Hi Jeff,

If these processes are actually running (you see them in
task manager), but you can't find them anywhere on the
system, they you are with 99% certaintly infected with
something. This is a technique that malware
calls "cloaking", where they modify the system to make it
hard to detect their presence and then in many cases to
remove them. I don't keep up with the individual viruses
and other malware that are running around, so i can't
comment on this one in specific.

I'd recommend you take one of two steps: 1. contact your
AV vendor to ensure you have the latest updates, and to
explain what you're seeing; 2. contact Microsoft's PC
Safety line for help with virus issues. the US toll-free
number is 866-PC-SAFETY.

best,
-jasong

>-----Original Message-----
>I searched for 'secure' 'and hidden32' and it didn't find
>anything... What should I do now?
>
>>>Hi Jeff,
>>>
>>>I don't know what SECURE.EXE is. It's not a standard
>part
>>>of the system. Did you specially install it? If not,
>it's
>>>*possible* that you have a virus or other malware
>running
>>>on your machine. I also don't recognize the process
>>called
>>>hidden32.exe. Go look in the filesystem and see where
>>>these files live and what the file properties on them
>>are -
>>>- that will give you a good indication if a legitamate
>>>program actually installed them, or it they're malware.
>>>
>>>best,
>>>-jasong
>>>
>>.
>>
>.
>



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Task Manager has changed and does not function correctly
    ... You can do a system restore back to a point prior to the updates you have mentioned to correct the problem, ... Keep in mind now that when a user starts having problems with Task Manager, it's usually malware that is the culprit. ... There's no malware involved; the OP simply accidentally double-clicked the Task Manager's border, and now need only repeat the action to reverse the toggle and restore the Task Manager's normal interface. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.general)
  • Re: CPU 100% Virtual Memory gone
    ... This programme produces a list of running process which you can post here. ... Please do not post the remainder of the list after the list of running processes as this part is intended for detecting malware and it is customary to post these to a specialist forum for analysis. ... it is Task Manager, opened by depressing Ctrl+Alt+Del, then ... is using 100% CPU and make a note of all applications listed. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Will reformating HD get rid of a virius
    ... | I have a nasty virius and cannot access the c drive, task manager, registry, ... not all malware are viruses. ... You say "cannot access the c drive" but then go on to you can't use the task manager, ... registry or run. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: explorer
    ... You have a virus or other malware. ... Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. ... You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware ... How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Task Manager wont start
    ... There may be a NIS setting or Norton Add-on installed that's denying access to Task Manager, Jeff. ... I'm running Norton Internet Security 2008 with no other security software... ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)