default processes (clean XP)

[guy lateur]

Hi all,

I've been having some trouble lately with spy/adware being installed on my
machine. Sometimes, these can be identified/eliminated by checking the
processes that are running in task manager. However, some processes have
strange/non-self-explanatory names, so sometimes it's hard to tell wether a
given process can be killed without damaging the system. Therefor, my
question is: is there/can somebody get a list of standard (system) processes
that are running after a fresh install of XP (I have XP pro)? That way, I
could be sure I'm not killing any vital system processes while hunting for
unwanted 3rd party processes.

On a related note: can a 3rd-party app automatically spawn processes as
'system'? If not, I guess the system-processes don't ever actually change,
and I shouldn't ever kill a 'system'-process, right?

Thanks for any tips!
g

 

[Willie]

Try here for start ups;
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm

Try these for spyware help;

Ad-Aware - www.lavasoftusa.com
Spybot - http://www.safer-networking.org/
CWShredder - http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Willie

 

[Willie]

BTW, you can go into "Startups" (msconfig) and uncheck things all day long,
but if you don't take care of the "Real" problem, many items of spyware will
create another entry in "Startups", and be back again upon the next boot up.
Run spyware scans, REMOVE the problem, run a firewall, run anti-virus
protection which is up to date, have all Windows updates installed, and be
careful what you accept to be downloaded (Especially the "Free" stuff), and
watch what attachments you "Choose" to open. Good luck.

Willie

 

[guy lateur]

Thanks Willie, nice links (see other post) & dito tips.

Although I don't have a firewall or use anti-virus software, I'm always very
careful about installing free/suspicious stuff and opening unknown
attachments and so on. In fact, I have no idea how these things got
installed (it started a few weeks ago). Sometimes, when uninstalling some of
these unwanted components, they claim there may be some share/freeware on
the system which may stop working properly if you go ahead. Or do they say
that just to scare you? They never say exactly what will stop functioning,
though.

 

[Willie]

WHAT? No anti-virus program...You are on a collision course with problems.
How about this...First, go to the site below and download AVG freeware for
anti-virus...
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Next, turn on the XP firewall (It's better than nothing at all, trust me;
Control Panel, Network And Internet Connections, Network Connections,
Properties of "Connection", Advanced tab, check box for protection, then OK.
You need spend NO money to do these two things, and you will be rewarded
with the security they offer.

Willie

 

[Guest]

guy lateur,

Please see the following instructions.

Low-Trans Fat and Low-Carb Diet for Your PC or
How to optimize Windows XP for the best performance:

http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindows.htm

Good Luck!

 

[guy lateur]

Thanks for the wakeup call, Willie, you're absolutely right, I should've
done that years ago. The reason I never did it was 1) the money and 2) some
friends of mine complained about interference of their anti-virus soft with
some heavy-duty applications (eg capturing DV video). Anyway, even if this
still holds and I experience these problems, I can always temporarily switch
off AVG, so I guess that shouldn't be a real problem.

I did a complete AVG-test and it found about 20 infected files (mostly
downloader trojans) and healed most of them. The rest could be safely
removed, so now my system is clean again. And protected.

Nice page, r!

Cheers,
g