Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Random stuff about computer security
  • Subject: Random stuff about computer security
Subject: Random stuff about computer security
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  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

i just found out today that you shouldn't have 2 firewalls running at the same time because they could conflict. Windows firewall counts as one firewall, so disable it if you want to use another firewall. Don't flame me if you already knew this.

Question: i have this process that always runs called "SMSS.EXE". I looked it up on pcpitstop, and it says that the process is a virus or worm. I have Norton Antivirus 2004, all updated and stuff, and it never detected anything like this. When i try to end the process via Task Manager, it says:

"this is a critical system process. Task manager cannot end this process."

I don't notice anything bad caused by it, because it's been there almost since i got my pc. It doesn't hog up a lot of system recources (only 108k ram taken up). Should i even bother to try and get rid of it?



  • 06.30.2005 4:13 PM PDT
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  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

There are trojans that call themselves smss.exe, but it's a legitimate system process (which is why people name their worms after it - to confuse people).

See if you can find a free removal tool for any worms/viruses/trojans that use that process name and run it (the only one I found was Win32.Ladex.a) . Chances are it's not really a worm, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure.

It's mentioned on the MS website in conjunction with other things, so don't worry about it necessarily being evil.

  • 06.30.2005 4:51 PM PDT