Ping.exe

Might want to scan your computer with malwarebytes


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Uncheck where it says start the trial after installation. run the full scan

   Tip

Upload the log it opens up

Before you run Malwarebytes . Please run DDS


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Double click the dds icon to run the tool.
Place a check next to attact.txt and click Start . When done, DDS will open two logs
DDS.txt
Attach.txt
Save two logs onto your desktop and upload them with your reply

Here

dfs

Were you trying to log into hotmail when you got the ping.exe alert ?

No, the laptop was idle and screensaver running.

Click on the Run ESET Online Scanner

Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
Click Start
When asked, allow the activeX control to install
Click Start
Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked and the Scan Archives option is ticked.
Click on Advanced Settings, ensure the options Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications, and Enable Anti-Stealth Technology are ticked.
Click Scan
Wait for the scan to finish
When the scan completes, press the LIST OF THREATS FOUND button
Press EXPORT TO TEXT FILE , name the file ESETSCAN and save it to your desktop
Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
Press the BACK button.
Press Finish

Ping.exe is a tcp/ip command amd is usually situated in c/windows/system32 folder.Its a legitimate file .

Yes ping.exe is but it shouldn't be launching on its own.

VistaKing said:

Yes ping.exe is but it shouldn't be launching on its own.

I absolutely agree with you and oddly this has jogged my memory for me because i too received such an alert a few months back even though my machine is clean,so maybe its a windows routine call out or something.?

Check in msconfig/Start Up/Services. (Non Microsoft Services)
See if you have a program getting a request to call home.