In my scan I found kernel32.dll and I think this is very bad please tell me what it means ?

Question

Doesn't it mean something like my hard drive has been hacked or ??????????? too old to know, wrong side of 50 :0

Answer 1

Chillax!

One of the first things to do when you suspect malware is DISABLE System Restore.
If enabled, this allows malware to hide in the computer and re-install itself.
So, to disable it, RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the 'System Restore' tab, check 'Turn off system restore' IF not already checked.
The next most helpful things that would help you are to use ONLINE scanners from websites to remove any malware on your PC.
The current best online scanners I prefer are from Kaspersky antivirus and Bitdefender antivirus. Together, these 2 scanners will find ALL the bad stuff on your PC because they have the BEST detection rate.
First, use Kaspersky's. (FYI: ALL these scans require you to agree to a EULA and install an activex control which is needed to perform the scan, so agree to them all.)

*NOTE: Some scanners ONLY work with IE or may not fully remove malware

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner (KAV)

Then scan with:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html


There are MANY other good online scanners which you may choose to also use (which will take longer but ensure safety):

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm (Windows Live Onecare)

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/ax/ (A-squared scanner)

http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/ (ewido)

http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pest/scan.aspx (Spyware scan)

http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx (Virus scan)

http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/ (Panda Antivirus)

http://www.housecall.trendmicro.com/ (TrendMicro)

http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/ (Nod32)

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml (F-secure)


After using these, it's ESSENTIAL to install at least 3 antispywares. Do NOT use more than 1 antiVIRUS as they conflict.

The best things in life are FREE, and great free software can be found @:

Superantispyware.com (Superantispyware FREE version)
lavasoft.com (Ad-aware)
emsisoft.com (A-squared FREE)
safer-networking.org (Spybot S&D)
javacoolsoftware.com (SpywareBlaster, EULAlyzer, & MRU-Blaster)
microsoft.com (Windows Defender)
grisoft.com (AVG AV)
Avast.com (Avast AV)
avira.com (Avira AV)
activevirusshield.com (AOL Virus Shield, which is basically Kaspersky for free)
siteadvisor.com (Tells you how safe websites are)
phoenixlabs.org (Peerguardian blocks malware, government, and anti-p2p org's)
zonealarm.com (Top Notch Firewall)
comodo.com (Another Top Notch firewall)
iobit.com (Advanced Windows Care)
Eusing.com (Registry cleaner)
ccleaner.com (Junk file cleaner)



Now if you can afford it, the best software to BUY are:

Spy Sweeper
Security Task Manager
Norton Internet Security (Uses CPU but it's nice if you can afford to use those resources up)
Kaspersky (BEST! =D )
Bitdefender
F-secure (Same as Kaspersky)
Linkscanner (Blocks exploits in real time)
Advanced Uninstaller

If there's ever ONE file you suspect is infected, you can go to a couple of sites that have single file scanners which use MULTIPLE engines to scan a file.
They are virusscan.jotti.org and virustotal.com

If you're PC is squeaky clean, re-enable system restore because it IS good to have but we needed to shut it off to wipe out the malware.
Just RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the 'System Restore' tab, UN-check "Turn off system restore."


*Another thing to consider is using another browser besides Internet Explorer. IE has a lot of security holes,
making it less safe than other browsers. I prefer Firefox from mozilla.org.
It's just as easy to use and has a lot of neat little add-ons you can toy around with. By itself, it is also safer from exploits than IE.*


As always, things will vary for you. I hope the best for everybody. As always, others may disagree but there's only one way to find things out---try it! As long
as you have an UPDATED Antivirus, Antispyware, & firewall, things will go smoothly. And browse wisely. As a side note, please email me any/all websites you got the infection from or if any are popping up or hijacking your page so I can help further security software's measures.
Sometimes you may get a NEW and Unknown malware and I can submit it to be blacklisted to companies.
Thx. Hope I was able to help and fix anything needed. If I have, please consider returning & leaving a nice comment and
"Best Answer" to whomever you thinks deserves it...

Answer 2

Hey! Who convinced you that's too old?
Kernel32.dll is a dynamically linked library file that handles memory management and routes input and output among other things. It is one of the most critical application extensions of the entire operating system. Nothing to worry about. What did your scan say? And is it one of those free ones? Remember, you get what you pay for.....
E me if you have questions.

By the way, I'm 56.

Answer 3

What a eye-catching p.c.! i'm going for my NT test in an hour, additionally 12 weeks. the only measurement i can guess at is CRL, which will propose crown-to-rump length? i don't comprehend something although, optimistically somebody can clarify them to you! Congrats and ultimate desires!

Answer 4

it could be bad but most likely it is not. kernel.dll is a process that helps with memory management. i would have a professional look at your computer if you are really concerned about it but most likely it is nothing.