Solved Duplicate processes & problems

[TheReaper]

I have installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit about 2 months ago & during the last couple of days I've started to notice that the number of processes in task manager sometimes increases by 10 or even 20 processes. I've also noticed some duplicate processes: csrss.exe(2), dllhost(2~can't open file location on one of them, it keeps appearing & disappearing, mostly when I open something), nvvsvc.exe(2), taskhost.exe(2 sometimes 3) & svchost.exe(up to 12). Don't know if it's normal.
Am I being paranoid if I suspect a virus or malware is causing it.
Any thoughts & suggestions are very welcome.

I've mentioned this in another post as well: http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/163105-mouse-problems.html

 

[Britton30]

nvvsvc.exe is for your nVIDIA graphics, svchost.exe is a host process for other Windows process, I have 13-14, although some viruses can use this too. csrss.exe and dllhost are also processes for Windows processes, all are normal. Nothing odd I don't think.
The number of processes running at any given time depends on what is running on the machine. I usually have 45-50 on mine.
do run a good AV program to be sure however.
You can plugin any process in Uniblue to see what it is. For example dllhost.
My task manager...
View attachment 154497

 

[TheReaper]

What would be a good free AV? I'm currently using MSE and MalwareBytes, but they haven't found anything.

 

[Britton30]

What would be a good free AV? I'm currently using MSE and MalwareBytes, but they haven't found anything.

Run full scans after updating the definitions and the power off. Some malware will only be eradicated with a total power off condition for 5-10 minutes.
Super Anti-Spyware is the other many use here. Sorry I should have included this before. Chances are what you are experiencing is normal.
A good paid version is advisable though.

 

[TheReaper]

I update all definitions very regularly, but have had concerns lately about the effectiveness of MSE.
The power off for 5-10 min would clear the malware from RAM, am I right?
Have been using SAS on my previous XP system, I'll try it on Win7x64.
I hope it's normal, but it's better safe than sorry.
If I could afford a paid AV or a complete security suite, I'd get one, but sadly that's not feasible at the moment.

 

[Britton30]

The power off will clean SOME infections if discover by a scanner. It's not an autmatic solution for all of it by any means, but may help. As I said, it appears from what you've said all is normal.
MSE is by no means a complete security solution, but using the other two with it there is a better chance of catching something if it is present. I use Norton (paid), SAS and MB.

 

[TheReaper]

Does SAS free support 64bit Windows 7, I mean is there a 64bit version?

 

[Mystere]

This is all pretty normal. On my system I also have two csrss.exe's, 11 svchosts, etc..

Most likely, the Taskhost and the dllhost problems are related. The taskhost is probably firing off the dllhost to do some task on a regular basis. It's possible it's a virus, or it may just be something for a legitimate program you have installed.

Unless you're actually experiencing a problem, I wouldn't worry about it. Do a malware scan with malwarebytes and if it comes back clean, it's probably normal.

 

[lffoar]

The other posters are on the money. I've been using the free versions of Superantispyware, Malwarebytes and Spyware blaster for some years with good results. Also a good free AV is Avast which has got me out of trouble a few times by alerting me to dangerous sites, etc.
If you install these programs, set Avast to automatic update and update and scan weekly with SaS and MB, I reckon you are going to be pretty safe......with common sense of course!

 

[Britton30]

Does SAS free support 64bit Windows 7, I mean is there a 64bit version?

Yes it supports X64 but is a 32 bit program, I have on my X64 system.

 

[TheReaper]

I'm probably just a little paranoid. Hopefully it's all normal. Did a scan with MBAM & MSE, it came back clean, I'll try MBAM again in safe mode, just to be safe.
I've had Avast Free(think it was previous version) installed on another computer a while back & it completly locked up the OS. Had to do a hard reboot, to regain control & uninstall it.
Also tried free Avira, AVG, but on this system, I settled on MSE, for the time being.

 

[Britton30]

As I stated, with positive scan results with two or more scanners, you are most likely fine. You should keep MSE since it has active protection, but run other scans a minimum of weekly.

 

[MacGyvr]

I update all definitions very regularly, but have had concerns lately about the effectiveness of MSE.
The power off for 5-10 min would clear the malware from RAM, am I right?
Have been using SAS on my previous XP system, I'll try it on Win7x64.
I hope it's normal, but it's better safe than sorry.
If I could afford a paid AV or a complete security suite, I'd get one, but sadly that's not feasible at the moment.

There is NEVER a good reason for a paid AV as long as MSE (and maybe one or two others) are available...unless you just want to slow your computer down.

 

[MacGyvr]

MSE is a bit of a system hog, but as you said, it has real time protection-but it can be slow.

Umm, blatant untruth....MSE is probably one of THE lightest AVs out there.

 

[Britton30]

Always a good reason for a paid security suite, real time, auto updates, nothing disabled. MSE has one of the lowest detection and cleaning rates of all security suites. No one suite can get 'em all. MSE, Windows Defender, Malwarebytes fre, and Anti Spyware free are good suplemental ones to use.
I use norton Internet Security 2011 and it uses fewer resources than MSE, and scans about 20% faster in more areas.

 

[TheReaper]

I scanned the system twice now in two days & found no signs of malware. Experienced no problems since my last reboot. Guess I was a bit paranoid. Still looking for an AV best suited for my needs though, security software that wont clash with each other. For the time being I'll stick with MSE.
Want to thank everyone for all the help.

 

[JukeboxJezabel]

Downlod "process explorer" by Mark Russinovich it will show exactly what every svchost is running. I see 7 svchosts on my screen.

Avira is the thought of to be the best free AV, there were some problems with firewalls (Comodo and Online Armor). I have been using Avast with Outpost (Firewall) Security Suite with no hassles. If you try make sure Avast is installed first. I also like malware Bytes.

Mike Lins "startup monitor" is nice to have. It will give you a choice to disallow anything that is asking to be part of the startup.

Don't forget Spywareblaster for premptive measures.

There is nothing wrong with MSE.

 

[TheReaper]

I completely forgot about the process explorer, thanks for reminding me about it.