smsse.exe

When I start my friends pc I get a popup saying smsse.exe cannot be started, when I close the popup all seems well until I connect to the internet. I can connect ok but when I try to open any pages or go to other websites I get nothing. Is this just a problem with ie6 or are the two problems connected. The pc is only 1 week old. The ie6 problem started as soon as I set up my internet connection with bt yahoo. The smsse.exe problem started just after this.
Can anyone help please. Thanks.

 

Hi Andersonmtt,

Sounds like you've got a bit of a malware infection! I do not believe smsse.exe to be a legitimate process. (Probably trying to look like the legitimate smss.exe to fool you.)

I suggest you take a spin through the Cleanup Tutorial bleow and then Start a new thread for your problem in the Spyware Specific Forum.

READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan and Virus Removal

There are only a few of us Volunteers who regularly offer advice in this forum. Running through the above Tutorial will remove a lot of stuff that would otherwise clog a HijackThis Log and will save us valuable time.

Please let us know the steps that you are able to complete and the ones that give you problems. Note that you need to be in Safe Mode with System Restore OFF (if you have it) and have the Viewing of Hidden Files ENABLED as per the instructions in the link. Make sure to do the Online Scans.

Post back and let us know how you fared. Also, send us a HijackThis Log. Please be sure to follow the instructions below:

Note that your HijackThis should be up-to-date (v1.99.1) and MUST be extracted to its own safe folder – C:\Program Files\HijackThis! Should you need a Fresh Download of HJT, get it HERE: HijackThis v1.99.1

Also note that, before you scan, you MUST close all running programs including your web browser, e-mail and items in the system tray.

Please save your HJT Log as a .txt File and attach it via the "Manage Attachments" tool in the Additional Options section when you post.

Best luck
PP

 

You have spyware and adware problem download ad-aware se to do some cleaning

and check if you have this files

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smsse.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\run.exe
C:\Program Files\DeskAd Service\DeskAdServ.exe

if yes deleted them in safe-mode.....

 

Thanks guys for the help. As the pc was new and there was'nt much on it I reformatted the hd and reinstalled windows xp. If it ever happens again I know where to come for help. Once again thanks.

 

Cool

Have a look at How to Protect yourself from malware! and be sure to implement the suggested protections.

Happy Computing
PP

 

I removed smsse.exe from a client's machine.

It was identified as an sdbot worm variant.