iexplore.exe running in the background after 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. Also, I checked the Startup tab of msconfig and no reference
whatsoever to "iexplore.exe".How can I fix this? Thanks.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

You can start by accepting the probability that you *do* have malware that
was able to mask itself from the apps you used, or simply isn't detected by
them (and what apps did you use?) *Something* in the startup axis must be
launching IE during startup. Unless you have a background startup program
that launches a hidden instance of IE, it has to be malware. Frankly, I
can't think of any legit apps that would do that, but that doesn't mean
there aren't any. Try this site for more in-depth malware detection/cleaning
procedures:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

 

[Guest]

I used Lavasoft Adaware 2007, Spybot Search&Destroy, Spyware Doctor and
Webroot SpySweeper. I also scanned for viruses with Norton Internet Security
2005. One more note, if I start the PC in safe mode "iexplore.exe" won't show
in task manager, so it only starts after a normal reboot.

 

[Jim]

I used Lavasoft Adaware 2007, Spybot Search&Destroy, Spyware Doctor and
Webroot SpySweeper. I also scanned for viruses with Norton Internet
Security
2005. One more note, if I start the PC in safe mode "iexplore.exe" won't
show
in task manager, so it only starts after a normal reboot.

You really ought to get David Lipman's Multi_Av. Since no single antiviral
software catches all of them, scanning with only one is not sufficient.
Jim

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

And I'm saying that you need to do a lot more. Run through the stuff Jim's
site suggests, ending with a HJT log posted to the appropriate forum (not
this one!)

To know whether or not the behavior is caused by a legit startup item, run
MSCONFIG and disable the entire Startup tab, then on the Services tab, Hide
all Microsoft Services and then disable the rest. Click OK and reboot. Test.
You should disable your network connection while testing this, since you'll
be without protection. If you still get the behavior, you almost certainly
have malware. If not, then you can use MSCONFIG to methodically re-enable
things until you find the culprit.

 

[PA Bear]

Asked/answered in IE6 Browser newsgroup. If you must make identical posts
to multiple newsgroups, please cross-post one (1) message to all of them.
Thank you.

Multiposting vs Crossposting:
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm