Windows 7: googleupdatebeta.exe

Norton keeps identifying googleupdatebeta.exe as a threat. There isn't much info around on what exactly it is or does.

I attached a screen with the threats.

At one point I was dumb and tried to acquire some free software, and since then I haven been ridden with trojans, though they have stopped and this started.

Thoughts or advice?



I'd really rather not do a fresh install.

Malwarebytes.org download,update, scan
go to control panel>programs and features, uninstall all that googleupdater, ask toolbar things if you have them there

EDIT: A lot of guys here will recommend http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
its a free microsoft AV program

Do you have any idea what googleupdatebeta.exe is?

It's not a good thing, that's for sure
googleupdatebeta.exe | ThreatExpert statistics
ThreatExpert Report: Virus.Win32.Virut.ce, W32.Virut.CF, New Win32, W32/Scribble-B..
GOOGLEUPDATEBETA.EXE, Prevx

Yeah I saw that, Malwarebytes found 3 things, strange how Norton did not (luckily, I am still within my trial). It's ashame because Norton is the apparent "Gold Standard".

Well, as I said, a lot of guys around here will recommend MSE or Avast It's your choise anyway. And I think you'll want to check in msconfig (go to start, and type it, hit enter) go to start up tab, usually the bad guy/s would like to activate themself when the system starts,see is there something that shouldn't be there. You may want to scan and with Hitman Pro
Just as like second opinion you now, doesn't hurt, right?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
This is a very nice tutorial, for making a backup image (sometimes is easier just to re image system partition then to scan for hours, and not to be sure is everything fine or not

check and this program to: BillP Studios Download Page

If you are using firewall (you should), learn how to block a program that wants to be active online, as googleupdatebeta.exe for example.
Hope this helps,
cheers

Yeah, this helps a lot. It's amazing how much PC's have changed in the past 3 years. I switched to Mac, I missed the cat and mouse game! LOL!

I'll check out that tutorial once I know I got it all... it seems as if I have...

Thanks again for your help!

You are welcome cheers

I would suggest having Malwarebytes and Superantispyware installed no matter what antivirus you are running. You just never know.

I don't want to over do it. I just uninstalled Norton IS and replaced it with the Windows Firewall and Avast! I have Malwarebytes that I plan on running once a month. Is there anything that I am missing?