Unknown Program

[Miller]

Hi all

 

I seem to have an unknown program running whenever i use iexplorer.

 

Whenever i run iexplorer and open task manager and look in the application tab it shows iexplorer running as it should but there is also another program running called _X

I dont ever recall seeing this program before and it seems to have recently just shown up.

 

If i open more internet windows up then more _X programs show up, basically this _X program seems to be running along side any iexplorer windows i open.

If i try to end the _X process it does shut down but it also shuts down iexplorer.

 

I am pretty sure this is something dodgy but i have run scans and nothing has come up.

 

Any ideas anyone?

[BeeCeeBee]

Will you please run a search for the program file and let us know what comes up as a path?

Also give us the full file name if it comes up.

Is there any chance that you are on dial up as opposed to broadband?

[Miller]

I have tried searching for the file _x but nothing seems to come up.

 

I am on broadband btw.

[Match]

Hi Miller would you do a quick search for a file called _x-Finder.exe and get back to us please

[Miller]

Hi

 

Tried another search found nothing.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Miller, Just on the off chance it is something nasty, please follow all the instructions below. It is our standard procedure and does work well.

 

Your computer appears to be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

 

It is in your best interest to note the following:

1. Please disable your resident security applications (such as AVG, Spybot, WinPatrol, etc.) before performing the below procedure so that they do not interfere with the process.
   
2. Perform all the steps in the order listed to avoid any conflicts.
   
3. If unsure, please stop and voice your doubts.
   
4. You might be required to go offline during the disinfection process. Therefore, it is recommended to print off the instructions below for ease of reference.
   

If you stick to the above guidelines, all should go smoothly.

 

================================================

STEP 1

1. Download ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click on the file to run the program.
   
4. On the Main tab, check the Select All button.
   
5. Next, click on the Firefox tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Firefox, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
6. Now, click on the Opera tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Opera, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
7. Press the Empty Selected button and click OK to acknowledge the corresponding prompt.
   
8. Click on the Exit button to quit the program.
   

================================================

STEP 2

1. Please click here to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. At the end, make sure a check mark is placed next to:
   
   1. 
      
   2. Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      
   3. Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      

 

[*] Click Finish.

[*] The program will download and update itself if it finds the necessity to do so. Please allow this.

[*] Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.

 

Note: Depending on your computer specifications, the scan may take some time to complete. Please wait patiently and do not interrupt the process.

[*] When the scan is complete, click OK, and then Show Results to view the results.

[*] Make sure that every entry is selected, and click Remove Selected.

[*] Restart your computer.

================================================

STEP 3

1. Please click here to download SUPERAntiSpyware (Free Version).
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
   
5. Under Configuration and Preferences, click the Preferences button.
   
6. Click the Scanning Control tab.
   
7. Under Scanner Options make sure the following fields checked:
   

    

   [*] Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

   [*] On the main screen, under Scan for Harmful Software click Scan your computer.

   [*] On the left, make sure you check mark C:\Fixed Drive.

   [*] On the right, under Complete Scan, choose Perform Complete Scan.

   [*] Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.

   [*] After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click OK.

   [*] Make sure every entry has a check mark next to it and click Next.

   [*] A notification will appear that Quarantine and Removal is Complete. Click OK and then Finish to return to the main menu.

   [*] Restart your computer.

   ================================================

   STEP 4
   1. Please visit the ESET Online Scanner, using Internet Explorer to initiate the scan.
       
      Note: If you are running Windows Vista, then you will need Administrative privileges to complete the latter part of the procedure. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select the Run As Administrator option in the shell context menu.
      
   2. Check mark the YES, I accept the Terms of Use box.
      
   3. Click the Start button.
      
   4. Click the Install button on the following screen.
      
   5. Click Start. This will will initialize and update the scanner engine.
      
   6. Check mark the box beside Remove found threats.
      
   7. Click the Scan button. This will start the scan. Please be patient while it is in progress.
      
   8. Restart your computer.
      

   ================================================

   STEP 5
   1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Restore.
      
   2. Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen and click Next. Give the restore point a name then click Create. The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a note of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
      
   3. Next, click on Start > Run, type Cleanmgr and click on OK.
      
   4. Click on the More Options tab.
      
   5. Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the most recent one.
      

   This will remove any infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in "System Restore" are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only foolproof way to ensure the deletion of those files.

    

   Note: Please don't use it on a regular basis as this will clear all previous restore points. The feature might be very useful to revert your computer to working condition if something goes wrong.

    

   Re-enable all your security applications and please return here and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

    

   Happy Safe Computing! http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/../images/additional-smilies/thumb.gif

Close browsers before scanning
Scan for tracking cookies
Terminate memory threats before quarantining

[Miller]

I will try what you suggest tonight.

Thanks all

[Match]

OK report back to us please, if you don't mind and tell us how you get on :)

[Miller]

Thanks alot guys the 2nd program Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware got rid of the program.

I will run all the others later on just in case.

Again thanks alot.

[Match]

Thanks for letting us know

 

but you really need to complete the disinfection process, because if the original file it arrived in is not deleted you stand a chance of reinfection.