iexplore.exe running in the background after each reboot

[Guest]

Each time I reboot my PC the task "iexplore.exe" is running in the background
forcing me to terminate it from Task Manager. My computer is free from any
kind of malware (virus, trojans, spyware, etc), I fully scanned it with at
least 3 major antivirus/antispyware products. Once ended from Task Manager
the task "iexplore.exe" won't reappear unless of course I use Internet
Explorer.I also checked the Startup tab of msconfig and no reference
whatsoever to "iexplore.exe". How can I fix this? Thanks.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

Each time I reboot my PC the task "iexplore.exe" is running in the
background
forcing me to terminate it from Task Manager. My computer is free from any
kind of malware (virus, trojans, spyware, etc), I fully scanned it with at
least 3 major antivirus/antispyware products. Once ended from Task Manager
the task "iexplore.exe" won't reappear unless of course I use Internet
Explorer.I also checked the Startup tab of msconfig and no reference
whatsoever to "iexplore.exe". How can I fix this? Thanks.

What if you start in Safe Mode?

 

[Guest]

I tested starting in safe mode as you suggested and "iexplore.exe" does not
show up in Task Manager, so it seems it only starts after a normal reboot.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

Then something set to run at startup is doing it. Either one of those
programs in msconfig's Startup tab or malware.
Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing Messenger Plus, whose ads for
malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince you that you
owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.