malware? --> \systemroot\system32\smss.exe

supadupapunky

Member
Jan 7, 2000
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Hi Guys,

Im a little new at this. I ran eWido and I got this program running. I googled it but didnt get any helpful results. Can anyone shed light on this?

I run eWido, spyblaster, spybot, adaware, and have AVG Antivirus and came up clean.

Thanks!
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Do you have reasons to think your system's infected? Some malware could inject itself into your smss.exe process.
 

supadupapunky

Member
Jan 7, 2000
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My laptop just runs slowly. Also, Im just paranoid of all the security threats.

Is that how the smss.exe supposed to show up?

Thanks!
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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The correct location is in C:\Windows\System32, which equates to what you've posted. If you want to scan with something better than AVG, and probably better than ewido too, try this manual scanner that I wrote instructions for: http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/scan.txt It detects worms, trojans, viruses, hack tools and also a fair number of spyware/adware programs and even some rootkits.
 

supadupapunky

Member
Jan 7, 2000
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Ok, this is really dumb question (please bear with me) so are you saying that the program \systemroot\system32\smss.exe is the same as C:\\windows\system32

I am a total idiot when it comes to this kind of stuff, so I am thinking of just brining my laptop to Geeksquad and also having them check it out.

Thanks for your speedy help/input!
 
Jun 4, 2005
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Originally posted by: supadupapunky
Ok, this is really dumb question (please bear with me) so are you saying that the program \systemroot\system32\smss.exe is the same as C:\\windows\system32

I am a total idiot when it comes to this kind of stuff, so I am thinking of just brining my laptop to Geeksquad and also having them check it out.

Thanks for your speedy help/input!



%systemroot% is the quivalent to C:\Windows. The only reason it is written %systemroot% is because some users have their local drive as F, G, X, Z, etc.

%systemroot%\system32 == C:\Windows\system32

Text, for future reference.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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That is not necessarily malware. It is an important part of Windows.

smss.exe

The location of the file is the discerning criterion.