Hidden process since last Windows update


  1. Posts : 49
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    Hidden process since last Windows update


    This is a thread addressed to security experts willing to help.

    Ever since I installed the latest windows security updates, my firewall is detecting a hidden process acting as a medium when I try to go online with some applications. I call it hidden process because my firewall is unable to tell the app name and its location, which is quite unusual.

    If I refuse internet access to that hidden process, then certain applications fail to go online.

    This is quite worrying because it happens with an encrypted sandbox and encrypted openoffice documents. So since the latest windows update, both virtualbox and openoffice can no longer go online without that hidden process acting as a medium.

    Could somebody give me indications about how I could identify that process? My system is Win 7 x64 SP1 up to date and nothing was detected by a full scan from a leading antivirus software.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 214
    W7 Prof 64 bit
       #2

    Maybe Microsoft's Process Explorer can help you.

    Process Explorer
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 49
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I wish it was that easy, but I wouldn't need to post about it then.

    The process is completely hidden to regular tools, it is probably located in the RAM and encrypted. I will need something a lot more advanced to identify it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,049
    Windows 7 Pro 32
       #4

    Does the firewall log not even show a Process ID?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 49
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Log of the process

    U/D#
    U-44941

    Date
    25/11/14,19:13:07

    Rule
    APP: Blocked

    Type
    EXE

    Address/Application
    ?

    Compliment
    UNKNOWN
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,049
    Windows 7 Pro 32
       #6

    And if you compare that to a log entry for another not "hidden" file, can you see the PID?

    Don't know what firewall you have but Windows Firewall that I use shows a blocked connection like this:
    Hidden process since last Windows update-fwblock.png
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 49
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I have a very basic firewall, no it does not show process id unfortunately, but it does its firewall job with high reliability, and unlike other "advanced" firewalls such as comodo, it has never failed preventing an app going online.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,049
    Windows 7 Pro 32
       #8

    Then IMHO it's not a good firewall. Detailed logs are as important as the functionality in my world, especially for firewalls.

    I suggest you scan with other products, for example Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware Detection & Removal Software and the more aggressive https://security.symantec.com/nbrt/npe.aspx
       Warning
    Norton Power Eraser is known for showing many false positives!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 49
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I doubt anything an antivir is going to help, I have already tried that, first I'm going to uninstall the windows security updates one by one to identify the one that is inserting the hidden process, then I'll look for a security expert site.

    Thank guys see you.
      My Computer


  10. 1PW
    Posts : 41
    W7
       #10

    Hello Read Only:

    I would be appropriately surprised if any of your computer's hidden Internet activities could elude monitoring by https://www.wireshark.org.

    Good hunting.
      My Computer


 

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