hi

my nephew has been playing on free internet games today and has put something called "install.exe" on my computer. its on my desktop and when i click it, i have the option to run or cancel, i cant find it in my control panel or uninstall items.

what is it and how do i get rid of it?

HELP

install.exe could be anything.....its a setup file to install an app, if he has installed it already and u run the install.exe it should remove it, then you can just delete the file from your desktop ;)

looked it up on internet and it says its a backdoor trojen on something? Also has some info about worms and says its 82% dangerous.

However it does go on to say that if i download their software it will get rid of it.




P.S Didnt want to worry any1, it's notr on this computer, it's on my mums who is a bit of a novice!

If you think that it could be dangerous, then upload it to this site and scan it > http://scanner.novirusthanks.org/

like i said, install.exe could be anything, could be a perfectly legit app, but could as you said be infected, best thing is to just delete it, it cant do any harm

Looked on microsoft website, turns out it's something called Malware?

So have downloaded a malware remover and it seems to have gone now!

Shorty - download "Spybot Search & Destroy" - that'll sort it out!

Looked on microsoft website, turns out it's something called Malware?

So have downloaded a malware remover and it seems to have gone now!

But like i said....there is NO WAY at all anyone can tell you what the .exe actually is with just the name install.exe......it could be malware, but then it could be a perfectly legit program

Looked on microsoft website, turns out it's something called Malware?

Malware = Malicious Software.
A general term that encompasses more specific technical categories such as viruses, spyware, adware, rootkits, trojans & worms etc. Any software that is unsolicited, unwanted and detrimental to your system.

In this case it may well be that install.exe was malicious, but as already been said; many legitimate programs may use a file named install.exe

Malware uses files named similar or the same as legitimate files to fool users and avoid detection. The location/path to file can be important in helping determine whether or not a file may be malicious if it has a legitimate name.

Take for instance "lsass.exe" (Local Security Authentication Server) . It is found on most systems but it's location can help determine whether it is legitimate or malware.

Legit: (http://www.processlibrary.com/directory/files/lsass/)
Author: Microsoft Corp.

Part of: Microsoft Windows Operating System

Common Path(s): %system%\LSASS.exe
%system%\system32\lsass.exe


Not legit: (http://www.processlibrary.com/directory/files/lsass/27068/)

Author:Unknown

Part of:Trojan.W32.Rontokbr

Common Path(s): %userprofile%\LocalSettings\ApplicationData\lsass. exe

Note the difference in file paths/location although the files name is the same.

<sigh> this is why people shouldn't be allowed PCs.

Right click on the file and choose rename then type "HarmlessFile.exe", by the logic you seem to keep applying despite what others have told you it will now definitely be safe.


To reiterate, install.exe is such a generic name it could be anything. There will be harmful programs with that name and legitimate ones. You can't tell without virus scanning it in some way.

<sigh> this is why people shouldn't be allowed PCs.

:hihi: :help:

You could upload it here..

http://www.virustotal.com/

or here...

http://virusscan.jotti.org/en-gb

or both, and scan it.

just install it :D

oh dear:roll:

I really don't understand what the problem is here.

Do you want it?
No.

Why?
Because you don't even know what it is.

What should you do with this thing that you don't want because you don't know what it is?
Delete it.

Seriously, why have you even bothered posting this on here?
Its an executable installation file (hence the name...) for an unnamed piece of software. It won't do anything unless you try to install it.
Just delete it. If that is beyond your IT skills, then just follow these detailed instructions.

1. Left click it and hold it.

2. Drag it to the little picture of a dustbin.

:loopy:

If the OP doesn't want to listen to the advice on here then they should probably just put the computer back in its box and take it back to the shop.

Someone I used to know actually that one after getting the message "This program has performed and illegal operation and has been terminated". She thought she had broken the law so packed the computer away so no one could find it....:loopy: