install.exe found on external drive - how do I find out what it is?

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  1. Posts : 2,470
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #21

    Neil2305,

    You would be surprised at the number of computers where scans were run, and Sirefef variants/Rootkit entries were still found when an effective diagnostic was run.

    If it were my computer, I would not stop at running WDO, ESET, and other scans, if Sirefef was found.
    It is equivalent to a 'malignant cancer' in an advanced stage.

    In this kind of scenario, before cancer surgery, X-Rays, MRIs and the like preceed it. After surgery, some more tests and diagnostics are done to confirm the cancer is gone. It is all part of the 'total package'.

    However, if you feel comfortable with just running the scans mentioned, that is up to you.

    Just trying to help...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,608
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
       #22

    Both cottonball and I tried to help you here: Programs missing in Start Menu and admin permission lost

    You didn't follow through with what was asked of you in that topic. Neither one of us can help you, if you don't or won't help us with what we need to know.

    The next best thing for you, is to take both computers and your external 'back-up' drive to a shop and pay to have everything looked at and "fixed".
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 109
    Windows 7 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #23

    working on it...


    Hi Jacee... I AM doing exactly what you suggested... but didn't have storage device at home to do this.. we had to go out and buy a USB and as I write this trying to install Defender on to the USB on my partner's computer... my apologies for going off track and reporting what I had found on my computer.... stress making my mind go! (I have managed to install Windows Defender on to a CD and scan my computer and 12 threates found)

    Re my partner's computer (infected install.exe) Just need to follow the instructions again for installing on to a USB Drive.... as it is new and 8Gb... but says there is a problem installing and maybe due to not enough space....

    Downloaded Defender to desktop and run.. and went to install on USB and it wouldn't install... could saving it directly to the USB resolve this?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 109
    Windows 7 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #24

    My mistake... clicked on run on the download and not on the desktop... now installed on the USB and scanning...
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #25

    Can you not boot your partners computer from the same DVD?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 109
    Windows 7 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #26

    Re-booted on infected compter (the computer with with install.exe on external drive) and run a Quick Scan and nothing found - ie clean with a green tick!... (does this mean the 'install.exe isn't malicious?) now need to run a full scan... which may take some time...

    Is there any way of 'identifying' what the install.exe is... we are unable to upload it as it says we don't have admin permissions...
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 109
    Windows 7 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #27

    To Jacee.. I have replied on my other thread which was regarding Windows updates... and not my partner's computer.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #28

    Neil2305 said:
    Is there any way of 'identifying' what the install.exe is... we are unable to upload it as it says we don't have admin permissions...
    You could try booting a PC using a Linux CD and upload the file from there.
    That way Windows Admin permissions should not matter.

    I'm just guessing here, but it's something I would try to find out what is in this file...
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 109
    Windows 7 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #29

    we have managed to delete the install.exe folders and files... clicked on continue even though it said didn't have permission to do so... will follow this up with a full scan using Windows Defender..

    The million dollar question.. is which antivirus/anti-malware/antispy software is best to use... using Security essentials... and windows firewall etc...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #30

    That question never ends, and you will get many answers...
    What's the Best Anti-virus?

    IMHO it's best to have all data and the OS partition backed up offline.
    That makes recovery much quicker and easier...
      My Computer


 
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