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Scott.in.GC - 01 Aug 2008 17:13 GMT

Hi,

I've noticed lately that my system is running slower and that Internet
Explorer sometimes freezes. I do the usual control + alt + delete to open the
task manager panel and check applications and processes. I've noticed that
the (running) processes tab ALWAYS shows one more instance of an open and
running internet explorer application than the applications tab. (In other
words, there appears to be a hidden instance of internet explorer running.)
If / when I click on the option in the process tab to stop / terminate this
activity, sometimes it will close the hidden instance and sometimes it will
not. Is this a virus / spyware / malware that Kaspersky didn't catch? A
hidden app running that eats up a lot of resources / memory makes me very
suspicious.

Any ideas how I can either stop this from happening and / or manually kill /
stop the hidden instance from running when the stop / terminate process in
the task manager doesn't do the trick?

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PA Bear [MS MVP] - 01 Aug 2008 19:53 GMT

Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP1) when
posting to a MS newsgroup, please.

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

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use (in
conjuction with some other utilities). HijackThis will NOT fix anything on
its own, but it will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware with assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

Signature

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

> I've noticed lately that my system is running slower and that Internet
> Explorer sometimes freezes. I do the usual control + alt + delete to open
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> stop the hidden instance from running when the stop / terminate process in
> the task manager doesn't do the trick?

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