Is That Windows Process Actually a Virus? 3 Ways to Tell if an EXE File Is Safe

Viruses are good at hiding themselves as authentic Windows processes. Happily, there are methods to test if a course of is authentic or not.

Have you ever observed an odd Windows course of and do not know whether it is actual or pretend? Viruses and different malware have develop into adept at masquerading as authentic system processes lately. Fortunately, you should use a couple of strategies to confirm the method’s authenticity, they usually contain checking its executable file or EXE.

Let us take a look at three strategies you should use to inform whether or not the EXE of a Windows course of is secure.

How to Entry the EXE of a Windows Course of

Earlier than we get to how one can confirm the EXE of a Windows course of, let’s have a look at how one can entry it. Proper-click the Taskbar and select Process Supervisor. Then, right-click on the suspicious course of and choose Open file location.

A window will open with the executable file already chosen, displaying its location.

3 Methods to Inform if the Exe of a Windows Course of Is Secure

Telling if an executable file is a legit Windows course of is not onerous. You should utilize any of the three strategies talked about beneath.

1. Scan the EXE with an Antivirus

Maybe one of many quickest methods to inform if a file is a virus is by scanning it together with your antivirus. Windows has a number of free antiviruses you possibly can set up. These antivirus packages normally mean you can right-click on the questionable file and choose to scan it.

2. Scan the EXE With VirusTotal

One other option to discover out if the EXE is legit is to scan it with VirusTotal. You merely add the suspicious file on the VirusTotal web site, and this on-line scanner will test it for every type of malware. Moreover, it’ll mechanically share the knowledge it finds with the safety neighborhood to maintain others secure.

Associated: The Best Free On-line Virus Scan and Removing Websites

3. Examine the Certificates

Any genuine Windows course of may have a certificates issued by Microsoft. To test this, right-click the file and choose Properties. Within the Digital Signatures tab, choose the signature after which click on on Particulars.

One other window will pop up with the Normal Tab chosen. Click on on View Certificates.

You’ll then see a digital certificates issued by Microsoft, displaying that the method is actual and never malware.

You possibly can take it a step additional by going to the Certification Path tab of the certificates and guaranteeing it says “This certificates is OK” underneath Certification standing.

Now You Know How to Inform if a Windows Course of Is Actual or Faux

Understanding whether or not a Windows course of is actual or pretend is one of the best ways to maintain your PC secure. In case you’re having hassle figuring out the legitimacy of a legit-looking system course of, checking its EXE is a fast and environment friendly option to put your thoughts relaxed. And, as you possibly can see, it’s simple to do by scanning it with an antivirus or VirusTotal or checking its certificates.