Hello dude7309,
Here we have another case of spyware installed on your computer. In
this case, it probably came along with Kazaa, if you have ever used
that program.
dw.exe stands for DownloadWare.
http://and.doxdesk.com/parasite/DownloadWare.html , and.doxdesk.com
has this to say about it:
"DownloadWare is a process that runs continually when installed. If a
network connection is available it will connect to its servers, which
can direct it to download and install software from advertisers.
It may be installed through an ActiveX control called ActiveInstall,
which decodes and runs a built-in executable and then (tries to)
remove itself. This executable can include Downloadware and any other
service bundled with it, for example premium-rate diallers from Movie
Networks, Popcorn.net, MVPNetworks or Real-Tens [sic]."
"(downloadware is) Installed by web pages, usually pop-up
advertisements displayed through internetfuel. Is more recently also
distributed with the KaZaA Media Desktop, under the name 'MediaLoads'
(which is actually one of the pieces of software installed by
DownloadWare).
There is also an official site that tries to coax you into installing
it yourself."
"Security issues
Yes. The software is designed to execute arbitrary code from
advertisers. There is no code-signing so systems are vulnerable to DNS
poisoning attacks and attacks on the controlling servers, but the code
it deliberately installs is so disreputable anyway that this probably
isn't too big a deal.
Stability problems
Many users have reported crashes on Windows start-up caused by
Dw.exe."
So, in short, this is bad stuff. I always recommend obtaining the FREE
Ad-Aware from Lavasoft at www.lavasoft.de and running it often to keep
your computer free of adware and spyware.
Recommended methods of removing DownloadWare.exe are:
1. First try going to Control Panel / Add Remove programs and finding
the entry for DownloadWare. This may and may not be successful.
2. Download and install Ad-Aware as listed above. This might help to
remove the program.
3. Search your hard drive for dw.exe and remove it. If it will not
allow you to delete it because it is running, then bring up task
manager and end the dw.exe task, then delete the file. Now delete
DownloadWare from the Add/Remove Control Panel
4. And finally, if you are computer savvy and you still have any
problem with dw.exe, follow the instructions listed under removal on
this page: http://and.doxdesk.com/parasite/DownloadWare.html
However, if you are not a power user, do not attempt to edit the
registry as you might create more problems than you have now! Ask a
knowledgeable friend to aid with this removal.
Good luck cleaning up your computer system and do let me know if
anything above requires clarification
Regards,
-=clouseau-ga=-
search strategy: dw.exe |
