The process under discussion belongs to MSN Explorer, and is a utility that adds features to existing versions of Internet Explorer. More importantly, it sends or listens for data on ports to the Internet or any local area network.
It is non-essential, so that enabling or disabling it has no effect on system performance. It resides in the subfolder ‘C:\Program Files’. The sizes identified with this process are 11776 bytes, 393216 bytes, 88576 bytes, 98304 bytes, 98816 bytes, 93696 bytes or 9012 bytes. Should the Msn.exe process be located in any subfolder of the C: drive, there is a sixty-percent chance that the file is dangerous.
The process msn.exe may indicate Filta Trojan infection. This version of spyware allows hackers and crackers the opportunity to access computer systems, from remote sites, stealing personal data, Internet banking information and passwords. It is also an active constituent of the spyware worm known as Rbot PJ that affects very many users. If the process runs on the computer on the first log on event, this is clear evidence of the process being a worm. It spreads with unbelievably high rapidity, so that it damages system payload delivery. Rbot PJ merges several spyware variants. In short, it passes for a keylogger, backdoor, spyware and downloader. Removal is the only sure way of protecting system integrity. This worm has the same adverse effects as W32.Filta Trojan discussed earlier. Rbot PJ first attempts at closing down security applications. This is where the backdoor characteristic comes in, allowing unauthorized access. In addition to stealing sensitive personal information, the worm records keystrokes and can download more code via an existing ‘reliable’ Internet connection.
The main errors associated with msn.exe are that antivirus software and any other security applications resident on the system will fail to run. The recommended solution is to run a manual system scan using either antispyware or antivirus software. The same applies to the process named file.exe along with components of the worm Rbot PJ and the Trojan W32.Filta. Xoftspyse scanner is quite reliable when it comes to totally removing threats from heavily infected computer systems.
