2007-02-19 22:39:36 · 5 answers · asked by jimjo16 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
There are many programs that run in the background and many are not spyware, but legitimate programs. Before shutting any of them down, first determine what they are and what their purpose is. DO NOT, as someone suggested, simply open the task manager and start ending processes. That is the quick way to a crippled PC, if you end the wrong process by mistake.
The best thing you can do to determine what they are, is to use anti-spyware and anti-virus software (ensure both are up-to-date) and enable heuristic scanning in the AV if it has that option. Do a full, in depth scan with both. They will notify you about any virus/spyware and present you with a series of options to allow you to decide what should be done (normally Ignore, Quarrantine or Delete). You should only choose the ignore option if you are certain that the suspicious file is neither spyware or a virus.
If the "programs" you are seeing happen to be a lot of processes running in the Task Manager window, here is a little info: Windows itself requires 29 seperate open processes to run, McAfee AV, while running 1 program has 10 open processes, your ISP (if using broadband) typically has 5-7 open, then you have other legit software that requires it's own process and so on.
Also, if you notice an open process, but can't find the program that owns it, look to your taskbar; specifically the system tray, next to the clock. You may notice a chevron pointing left; this means that icons you don't use often have been hidden. If you click the chevron, they will appear; each of these has it's own process.
2007-02-19 23:57:48 · answer #1 · answered by Paul The Rock Ape 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to stop these programs running permanently click - start - run and type msconfig.
On the next screen click on the start up tab. This shows all the programs that will run automatically on start up.
Just uncheck the ones you don't want or need to run at start up.
Be careful which ones you uncheck as this could cause windows to not run properly.
Check the link below for a list of programs that you can and can't remove from start up.
2007-02-20 07:18:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Press control>alt+del to view running processes, be careful of what you choose to end though or you might mess up and need to do a system restore.
2007-02-20 06:44:37 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the Task manager.
End task for the programmes not in use.
2007-02-20 06:44:18 · answer #4 · answered by theearlof87 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is called spyware. Install spy-bot search and destroy (it is free) This may do the trick.
2007-02-20 06:44:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋