flpycntl.exe error on XP; virus or trojan horse???

Using the Windows System Configuration Utility (startup)


Windows 98, ME, and XP have MSCONFIG

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Windows 2000 doesn’t have msconfig but you can use it, if you...
Download the two files here
http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Msconfig.htm
OR
http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html
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If annoying programs are popping up every time you boot into windows XP or log in, you can disable them with the System Configuration Utility.

Press START > RUN > type MSCONFIG to launch

When the application starts you will need to click the startup tab.

This lists all the applications that will start when you boot up or log in, you can simply untick the ones you don’t want to start and reboot (if a problem occurs you can simply re-tick it)

Most programs launch from the following registry Key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Once you are sure you no longer need the application you can launch REGEDIT and go and delete a programs value from this key (DON’T DELETE THE ENTIRE KEY!!!)

Any software that is listed as "Common Startup" is being launched from the startup folder (click START >PROGRAMS >STARTUP to view them.  You can delete the Icons from here  <by right clicking it and selecting delete> to stop it launching.) This only deletes the shortcut; it does not uninstall the application.

*****Links*****

XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560
98 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281965
ME http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;281995


System32 Folder Opens When Logging on to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q170086

*****Start up Software*****

Autorun Software Downloads
http://www.bykeyword.com/pages/autorun.html

Startup Control Panel
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

open your win.ini file and remove this line

run=c:\windows\system32\flpycntl.exe

you will also see its launched from the registry key (above)

Then reboot and if it exists delete this file c:\windows\system32\flpycntl.exe

when youve done all that update your AV and scan for virus then get some spyware software and scan again

Spyware & Adware

What is Spyware?

Spyware is ANY SOFTWARE which uses a user's Internet connection in the without the user knowledge. Although Software Firms and Web pages that launch this "code" on your PC are required to ask your permission many don’t! ANY SOFTWARE communicating across the Internet from Your PC without your knowledge is guilty of information theft and is rightfully termed: Spyware.

What is Adware?

Adware is basically any application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. This is built in to the coding of the Software that delivers the Adds to your desktop, these adds are either displayed as pop up windows or through a Banner on the software front end. Many people believe that the revenue earned from this is justification for recouping development costs, which then doesn’t need to be passed to the user.

Adware, Spyware and other unwanted "malware" - and how to remove them
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm

*****Removal Tools (Freeware) *****

Ad Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Spy Bot http://security.kolla.de/news.php?lang=en
Trojan Remover :http://www.simplysup.com/
HijackThis http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html
Spyware Blaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
X Cleaner Free http://www.xblock.com/download-freeware.shtml
 
*****Removal Tools (Shareware & Trialware)*****

Goodbye Spy http://www.topshareware.com/GoodBye-Spy-download-2012.htm
Spy Cop http://spycop.com/products.htm

**********Prevent Browser Hijacking**********
BHODemon (Freeware)
Think of BHODemon as a guardian for your Internet browser: it protects you from unknown Browser Helper Objects (BHOs), by letting you enable/disable them individually. This program is my choice for BHO detection and is highly recommended.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/bhod/
or
Browser Hijack Blaster http://www.wilderssecurity.net/bhblaster.html

Hi PeteLong,

Thanks for that. I see now how I can prevent the executable from being run, but how can I be sure this app is not needed for windows to run properly?? Can you please confirm that we do not actually need to add this file to the system32 directory. Do you have the file on your system?

Cheers,
2810

Thanks for the very prompt response Pete!
2810

:) ThanQ