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Iexplore.exe

Internet Explorer - Microsoft® Windows® Operating System - Microsoft Corporation
Run a Free Scan for IEXPLORE.EXE related errors

Iexplore.exe file description
Iexplore.exe with description Internet Explorer is a process file from company Microsoft Corporation belonging to product Microsoft® Windows® Operating System.
In total there are 20 launchpoints for this file including "Running processes".
There are 15 different variations of the file in our database and the file is digitally signed from Microsoft Corporation - Microsoft Time-Stamp Service
We do not recommend removing digitally signed files from Microsoft Corporation

What is iexplore.exe?
Iexplore.exe is the process for Microsoft Internet Explorer. The following is a screenshot of Internet Explorer 6 in Windows XP:



This process is a nonessential process and can safely be killed. By killing it, however, one or more Internet Explorer windows will be closed and any data within lost. The screenshot below illustrates how this process should appear in the task manager:



In the above screenshot, iexplore.exe is running as the current user (Mike); it is typically not run as SYSTEM or any other user.

Dangers of iexplore
As this is a common legitimate process, it is common for virus writers and spyware vendors to disguise their malware as the genuine Internet Explorer.

Some malicious files will have the same name as this process but will be stored somewhere other than in %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer. Other malware will use a name that appears similar to it but with slight differences in spelling or with appended digits. The following malware is known to disguise itself as iexplore.exe:
  • W32/Forbot-AG (%SystemRoot%\System32)
    • This is a worm and backdoor Trojan that connects to a remote IRC server to allow an attacker to take control of a compromised system.
  • W32/Spybot-V (%SystemRoot%\System32)
    • This is a backdoor Trojan that spreads over peer-to-peer networks.
  • W32/Mytob-CH (%SystemRoot%\System32\iexplorer.exe)
    • This is an IRC backdoor Trojan that allows a remote attacker to take over an infected system.
  • W32/Rbot-EZ (%SystemRoot%\System32)
There is often multiple instances of this process running at a given time. The presence of multiple instances is not an indicator of a malware infection. Note that this process should not be running if you are not running Internet Explorer. If it is, your system may be infected with malware.

Common problems
  • Internet Explorer uses 100% CPU time
    • This can be caused by a spyware infection. Scan your system for spyware.
    • This problem can also be caused by a misbehaved plugin. Uninstall plugins one by one until the problem goes away.
  • My Internet Explorer homepage suddenly changed!
    • This is a sign of a spyware/adware infection. Perform a scan and remove any spyware or adware that is found.

Automatic startup locations
001 Running Processes
002 Autorun registry entries local machine
003 Autorun registry entries Current User
004 All users startup startmenu
005 Current user startup startmenu
007 Roaming Start Menu\Programs\Startup
008 Autorun registry entries Default user
010 Installed services
035 Active Setup Installed Components
042 HKLM Internet Explorer Extensions
043 HKCU Internet Explorer Extensions
065 Image File Execution Options (debugger)
073 %windir%\Tasks
135 Current User Runonce (+ subkeys)
136 Local Machine Runonce (+subkeys)
137 Current User RunonceEx (+ subkeys)
153 HKLM Drivers32\Midi
166 HKCU Policies\Explorer\Run
167 HKLM Policies\Explorer\Run
191 Terminal Server\Install\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

File versions in our database
  Company  Version  Size 
OTAN  1.00  4294967295 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2800.1106  4294967295 
Microsoft Corporation  7.00.5730.13 (longhorn(wmbla).070711-1130)  4294967295 
Avant Browser  9.0.1.118  4294967295 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2900.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)  3912192 
Microsoft Corporation  7.00.6000.20815 (vista_ldr.080415-1732)  3799040 
Microsoft Corporation  7.00.6000.20583 (vista_ldr.070420-1500)  3335680 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2900.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)  3259904 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2900.5512 (xpsp.080413-2105)  3259904 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2900.5512 (xpsp.080413-2105)  3169792 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2900.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)  3149312 
Microsoft Corporation  6.00.2900.5512 (xpsp.080413-2105)  3149312 
Microsoft Corporation  8.00.6001.18702 (longhorn_ie8_rtm(wmbla).090308-0339)  3039072 
Microsoft Corporation  8.00.6001.18241 (longhorn_ie8_beta2(wmbla).080822-0214)  3038240 
Microsoft Corporation  7.00.6000.16640 (vista_gdr.080213-1606)  3026432 

Digital signatures found for this file
  Signer of certificate  Issuer of certificate 
Microsoft Corporation  Microsoft Time-Stamp Service
Microsoft Corporation  Microsoft Timestamping Service
Microsoft Windows  Microsoft Time-Stamp Service
Microsoft Windows  Microsoft Timestamping Service
Microsoft Windows  VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer
Microsoft Windows 2000 Publisher  NO LIABILITY ACCEPTED, (c)97 VeriSign, Inc.
Microsoft Windows 2000 Publisher (Europe)  VeriSign Time Stamping Service CA SW1
Microsoft Windows Component Publisher  Microsoft Timestamping Service
Microsoft Windows Component Publisher  VeriSign Time Stamping Service
Microsoft Windows Component Publisher  VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer
Microsoft Windows Publisher  VeriSign Time Stamping Service
Microsoft Windows Publisher  VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer
Microsoft Windows XP Publisher  VeriSign Time Stamping Service
Microsoft Windows XP Publisher  VeriSign Time Stamping Services Signer
Microsoft Windows XP Publisher (Europe)  VeriSign Time Stamping Service

MD5 security rating in our database
653 files (Not yet rated and not signed)
4 files (Not yet rated and digitally signed)
10 files (Safe and not signed)
292 files (Safe and digitally signed)
Some versions of this filename have not yet been checked for safety.
Fix iexplore.exe application error:  Run a free registry scan
Warning: Some malware might rename itself to iexplore.exe. Always make sure that your file is from a verified publisher.
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