iexplore.exe

[Menno Hershberger]

Sometimes I go to open my email (I use Eudora) and it hangs at the splash
screen. I kill the process and try again... same thing. This isn't specific
to Eudora but where I notice it the most. So when I go to reboot, XP tells
me that "iexplore.exe" is not responding. So I end that process and it
reboots. Since that I've discovered when Eudora won't open I can go in and
kill iexplore and then Eudora will go ahead and open.
The problem is that I never have Internet Explorer running when this
happens. Why would "iexplore.exe" be shown as a running task when Internet
Explorer is not open? iexplore.exe IS Internet Explorer, isn't it?

 

[Malke]

Sometimes I go to open my email (I use Eudora) and it hangs at the
splash screen. I kill the process and try again... same thing. This
isn't specific to Eudora but where I notice it the most. So when I go
to reboot, XP tells me that "iexplore.exe" is not responding. So I end
that process and it reboots. Since that I've discovered when Eudora
won't open I can go in and kill iexplore and then Eudora will go ahead
and open. The problem is that I never have Internet Explorer running
when this happens. Why would "iexplore.exe" be shown as a running task
when Internet
Explorer is not open? iexplore.exe IS Internet Explorer, isn't it?

What does a scan with a current antivirus program (meaning a version not
earlier than 2002 and using updated virus definitions) show? Also,
remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy from www.security.kolla.de
and Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these programs
before running them. It is best to run antivirus and spyware removal
tools in Safe Mode.

Malke

 

[Guest]

IE (Internet Explorer) is the default browser of WindowsXP and automaticall
activates when you go online no matter which ISP or browser you use
Using Eudora may be in conflict with IE thus causing you the problem
You can select which browser to use
Open IE/tools/internet options/programs ta
select which one for each specific actio
Click Apply and O
Happy puterin
There are 3 kinds of bald people - bald in front is a thinker, bald in bac
is sexy, bald all over - thinks he's sexy.

 

[Menno Hershberger]

What does a scan with a current antivirus program (meaning a version
not earlier than 2002 and using updated virus definitions) show? Also,
remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy from www.security.kolla.de
and Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these
programs before running them. It is best to run antivirus and spyware
removal tools in Safe Mode.

I pride myself in keeping my computer(s) "clean as a whistle". At
least I think I do. I run NAV 2003, automatically updated, Pest
Patrol (running all the time) I also run AdAware, Spybot, and CW
Shredder regularly. And I'm behind a Linksys router. Home page hasn't
been hijacked, search engines act normal, no extra toolbars, etc.

 

[Malke]

I pride myself in keeping my computer(s) "clean as a whistle". At
least I think I do. I run NAV 2003, automatically updated, Pest
Patrol (running all the time) I also run AdAware, Spybot, and CW
Shredder regularly. And I'm behind a Linksys router. Home page
hasn't been hijacked, search engines act normal, no extra toolbars,
etc.

OK, but if you'd told us that in the *first* post, I wouldn't have
wasted your time and mine with the whole "virus and spyware" spiel.
Maybe this is something specific to Eudora? Since I haven't ever used
Eudora, I'll bow out and hopefully else who has will pop in.

Good luck,

Malke

 

[Menno Hershberger]

OK, but if you'd told us that in the *first* post, I wouldn't have
wasted your time and mine with the whole "virus and spyware" spiel.
Maybe this is something specific to Eudora? Since I haven't ever used
Eudora, I'll bow out and hopefully else who has will pop in.

OK.. I guess I didn't make it real clear, but I did mention that it
wasn't specific to Eudora... that's just where I notice it the most. It
has happened in other apps as well. And then there's been times when I
shut windows down and a window comes up saying it's trying to "end"
iexplore.exe. I usually have to end it manually. Even though Internet
Explorer was not running at the time of shutdown.

 

[Malke]

OK.. I guess I didn't make it real clear, but I did mention that
it
wasn't specific to Eudora... that's just where I notice it the most.
It
has happened in other apps as well. And then there's been times when
I shut windows down and a window comes up saying it's trying to "end"
iexplore.exe. I usually have to end it manually. Even though Internet
Explorer was not running at the time of shutdown.

Well, as you pointed out, iexplore.exe is Internet Explorer. The reason
that I first mentioned the possibility that this is a virus is because
having more than one instance of IE running is a classic symptom of
trojan infection. I did find this one page about multiple instances of
IE running, which mentions a few trojan names:

http://www.computing.net/security/wwwboard/forum/7939.html

If you are sure that your av is up-to-date and you can't find anything
that looks like a trojan process, then I don't know. Maybe it would be
good to download HijackThis and look at the log, or try one of the
anti-trojan programs. It certainly sounds to me like your box is
compromised and is busy sending something out. Check in all the user
accounts, as well as your own (if applicable).

Good luck,

Malke

 

[Menno Hershberger]

Well, as you pointed out, iexplore.exe is Internet Explorer. The reason
that I first mentioned the possibility that this is a virus is because
having more than one instance of IE running is a classic symptom of
trojan infection. I did find this one page about multiple instances of
IE running, which mentions a few trojan names:

http://www.computing.net/security/wwwboard/forum/7939.html

Thanks. That was close. I read a couple of the replys and it lead me off
into some more security checking. Posted my Hijack this log in
alt.privacy.spyware... nothing fruitful there... yet anyway. I'll keep
plugging away and get it figured out some time.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Malke]

Thanks. That was close. I read a couple of the replys and it lead me
off into some more security checking. Posted my Hijack this log in
alt.privacy.spyware... nothing fruitful there... yet anyway. I'll keep
plugging away and get it figured out some time.
Thanks for your help.

Sure. Wish I had been able to give you a definitive answer. Let me know
if I can do anything else.

Malke