Data Execution Prevention

[parnim]

Hi,
Recently , when I boot , a window pop-up about "DEP" closing "Microsoft
Generic Host Process" , or something like that , now I heard about this
feature that come with SP2 , but why suddenly now ?BTW the "generic host"
isn't a legitimate sevice ? It's been a while I updated to SP2 and had
never seen this , also my PC has become a bit instable these days : sudden
reboot, programme freeze , some applications run suddenly slow ... It
sounded like spy ware or virus , but spy bot and my AV didn't find anything
and I don't see anything suspicious in the task manager , but you never know
... Or is it possible that the Pc's instabilities is Hardware related ? If
anybody has some suggestions or info, specialy about the DEP thing , I would
appreciate.

Specs : AMD64 3200 / 512RAM , XP pro SP2.

 

[Greg Palmer]

I would recommend following the instructions in
http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/main.asp?content=malwarefaq a single antivirus
and malware solution is rarely enough these days.

Generic Host Process is indeed a ligitimate process, however it was used to
exploit windows xp with various worms in recent times.

A full description of DEP can be found here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352

 

[parnim]

Thaks for your time and useful links Greg.

I would recommend following the instructions in
http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/main.asp?content=malwarefaq a single antivirus
and malware solution is rarely enough these days.

Generic Host Process is indeed a ligitimate process, however it was used
to exploit windows xp with various worms in recent times.

A full description of DEP can be found here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352