Computer Security & Viruses/virus

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Expert: - 4/5/2010


Question

task manger
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6664/taskmanger.png

are the 5 processes on the top viruses if yes how do i remove them becuase it keeps saying acces denied.

Answer
The web link to the image you sent me -- is that something you posted to the web from your own computer? If so, there is nothing bad among the top 5 processes. They were provided by the manufacturer of your ATI computer, by Microsoft, and by Adobe (a very reputable company) to make it more useful to you.

Tho only thing I would complain about is that it looks like you are using Internet Explorer to surf the web. Internet Explorer is notorious for allowing dangerous malware to infect your computer. It is much safer to use Chrome, free from http://www.google.com/chrome/ or Firefox, free from http://mozilla.com or Opera, free from http://www.opera.com/

In general, I don't think it is a good idea for any computer user other than a super expert to try to manually remove viruses and other varieties of malware. The problem is that the ones that are most dangerous also are extremely well programmed. Nowadays most malware is written by professionals in the pay of crime gangs. So they have features that allow them to hide somewhere in your computer and return every time you get rid of them. Consequently your best bet for protection of your computer is to run a complete Internet security suite. Please let me know if you would like recommendations on those. But at least for now, your computer appears to be OK.
    Questioner's Rating
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    CommentThanks, i was wondering if those were viruses becuase i was a bad site and the top 5 ones didnt have a image path name. Also there were 3 rundll32 processes. Thanks for telling me about internet explorer. Also i would like some recommandations on Internet security suites.


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Carolyn Meinel

Expertise

I cover Windows, Linux, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, smart phones, or other networking issues.

Experience

Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker) My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).

Organizations
IEEE, AAAS

Publications
See a list with some online links at http://cmeinel.com

Education/Credentials
MS, Industrial Engineering, The University of Arizona Took a course in computer forensics at the University of Texas at Austin/

Past/Present Clients
DARPA, SAIC, Palmer Labs

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