Member Avatar for gord_c

Hi there,

When I look at my task manager I see svchost.exe is there 8 times.

User Name = SYSTEM - 6 times
User Name = NETWORK SERVICE - 1 time
User Name = LOCAL SERVICE = 1 time

The question I have is can I remove some of them for the startup process?

Here's a patial dump of the scan from Hijackthis (I've allso attached the complete file). Note that it's loaded from C:\WINDOWS\system32\ 3 times and from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\ 3 times;

StartupList report, 3/27/2004, 6:55:00 AM
StartupList version: 1.52
Started from : E:\Downloads\Utilities\hijackthis\HijackThis.EXE
Detected: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
* Including empty and uninteresting sections
* Showing rarely important sections
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\tcpsvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\svchost.exe
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\SysMgmt.exe
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\VetMsgNT.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Fast.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\COMPUT~1\ETRUST~1\ETRUST~1\VetTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\fast.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\taskswitch.exe
C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Soft4Ever\looknstop\looknstop.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Grxp4exe.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\devldr32.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\taskmgr.exe
E:\Downloads\Utilities\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

--------------------------------------------------

StartupList report, 3/27/2004, 6:55:00 AM
StartupList version: 1.52
Started from : E:\Downloads\Utilities\hijackthis\HijackThis.EXE
Detected: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
* Including empty and uninteresting sections
* Showing rarely important sections
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\tcpsvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\svchost.exe
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\SysMgmt.exe
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\VetMsgNT.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Fast.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\COMPUT~1\ETRUST~1\ETRUST~1\VetTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\fast.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\taskswitch.exe
C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Soft4Ever\looknstop\looknstop.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Grxp4exe.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\devldr32.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\taskmgr.exe
E:\Downloads\Utilities\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\Gord\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
*No files*

Shell folders AltStartup:
*Folder not found*

User shell folders Startup:
*Folder not found*

User shell folders AltStartup:
*Folder not found*

Shell folders Common Startup:
[C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup]
Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat 6.0\Distillr\acrotray.exe
WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE

Shell folders Common AltStartup:
*Folder not found*

User shell folders Common Startup:
*Folder not found*

User shell folders Alternate Common Startup:
*Folder not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Checking Windows NT UserInit:

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
UserInit = C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
*Registry key not found*

[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
*Registry value not found*

[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

VetTray = C:\PROGRA~1\COMPUT~1\ETRUST~1\ETRUST~1\VetTray.exe
FastUser = C:\WINDOWS\System32\fast.exe
AtiPTA = C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
CoolSwitch = C:\WINDOWS\System32\taskswitch.exe
CXMon = "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\PhotoSmart\Photo Imaging\Hpi_Monitor.exe"
AdaptecDirectCD = C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
Look 'n' Stop = C:\Program Files\Soft4Ever\looknstop\looknstop.exe -auto
WINDVDPatch = CTHELPER.EXE
Jet Detection = "C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\PROGRAM\ADGJDet.exe"
Gravis Xperience Driver Support = Grxp4exe.exe /init
NeroCheck = C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

*No values found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx

*No values found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

*No values found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce

*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

*No values found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

*No values found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx

*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce

*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Run

*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Run

*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

[OptionalComponents]
*No values found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
*No subkeys found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
*No subkeys found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
*No subkeys found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
*No subkeys found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
*No subkeys found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Run
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries in Registry subkeys of:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Run
*Registry key not found*

--------------------------------------------------

File association entry for .EXE:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

(Default) = "%1" %*

--------------------------------------------------

File association entry for .COM:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\comfile\shell\open\command

(Default) = "%1" %*

--------------------------------------------------

File association entry for .BAT:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\batfile\shell\open\command

(Default) = "%1" %*

--------------------------------------------------

File association entry for .PIF:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shell\open\command

(Default) = "%1" %*

--------------------------------------------------

File association entry for .SCR:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\scrfile\shell\open\command

(Default) = "%1" /S

--------------------------------------------------

File association entry for .HTA:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htafile\shell\open\command

(Default) = C:\WINDOWS\System32\mshta.exe "%1" %*

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Active Setup stub paths:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
(* = disabled by HKCU twin)

[>{22d6f312-b0f6-11d0-94ab-0080c74c7e95}]
StubPath = C:\WINDOWS\inf\unregmp2.exe /ShowWMP

[>{26923b43-4d38-484f-9b9e-de460746276c}] *
StubPath = %systemroot%\system32\shmgrate.exe OCInstallUserConfigIE

[>{60B49E34-C7CC-11D0-8953-00A0C90347FF}MICROS] *
StubPath = RunDLL32 IEDKCS32.DLL,BrandIE4 SIGNUP

[>{881dd1c5-3dcf-431b-b061-f3f88e8be88a}] *
StubPath = %systemroot%\system32\shmgrate.exe OCInstallUserConfigOE

[{2C7339CF-2B09-4501-B3F3-F3508C9228ED}] *
StubPath = %SystemRoot%\system32\regsvr32.exe /s /n /i:/UserInstall %SystemRoot%\system32\themeui.dll

[{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}] *
StubPath = "%ProgramFiles%\Outlook Express\setup50.exe" /APP:OE /CALLER:WINNT /user /install

[{44BBA842-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015B}] *
StubPath = rundll32.exe advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection C:\WINDOWS\INF\msnetmtg.inf,NetMtg.Install.PerUser.NT

[{44BBA851-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}] *
StubPath = rundll32.exe advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %SystemRoot%\INF\wpie4x86.inf,PerUserStub

[{5945c046-1e7d-11d1-bc44-00c04fd912be}] *
StubPath = rundll32.exe advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %SystemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Inst
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Dani AI

Generated

svchost.exe is the built-in Service Host that Windows uses to run many background services, so seeing several copies (SYSTEM, NETWORK SERVICE, LOCAL SERVICE) is normal — Windows groups related services into separate host processes for reliability and resource reasons. (en.wikipedia.org)

To check whether any particular svchost instance is legitimate or misbehaving, map the process ID to the services it hosts rather than killing the process. From a command prompt run:

tasklist /svc /fi "imagename eq svchost.exe"

That shows each svchost PID and the service names inside it. For an easier GUI view, run Sysinternals Process Explorer, hover or double‑click a svchost entry and use the Services tab to see hosted services, the executable path and the file signature. These two methods make it straightforward to identify which service (not just the svchost process) is responsible for activity. (learn.microsoft.com)

Any svchost.exe whose file location is NOT in the system folders (normally %SystemRoot%\System32\ or %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\ on 64‑bit) is suspicious — the drivers\etc folder is where the hosts file lives, not executables, so svchost.exe copies there are red flags. If you see that in your HijackThis/StartupList output (as did), treat those instances as potentially malicious and investigate before deleting. (lifewire.com)

Quick, safe next steps: don’t randomly End Process on svchost (that can kill multiple services and break networking). Instead: use tasklist /svc or Process Explorer to find which service is hosted, open Services (services.msc) and Stop/disable that specific service if appropriate, check the file’s Properties → Digital Signatures, boot Safe Mode and run updated on‑demand scanners or a rescue ISO, and remove suspicious files only after confirming they aren’t the real System32 copy. Credit to for the malware-warning and to — stopping the right service (not brute‑killing all svchost processes) is the safer diagnostic path. (winhelponline.com)

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for alc6379

That could be a virus. Checking here, it appears many viruses use the name svchost.exe to hide the fact that a virus has been installed.

I'd recommend you update your virus definitions and scan your system.

<edit>
just checked something. The Netsky virus actually uses svchost.exe as a name. Again... you definitely want to update and run your virus scanner. :-|

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