Microsoft Instant Messenger – MSNMSGR.EXE

Msnmsgr.exe installs with the MSN Online Service and MSN Messenger. Messenger is an instant messaging and buddy list system freely available to anyone running Windows 9x or later. It may also install with older versions of .Net Messenger, Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger.

You'll find the latest version of MSN Messenger at http://messenger.msn.com/.

If you run Windows XP, you'll find the latest version of Windows Messenger at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/default.asp.

Windows Live Messenger can be found at http://get.live.com/messenger/overview.

You'll find a collection of add-ins for MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/windowsmessenger/.

It can be a chore to prevent this file from running on system startup. If you don't want it to run when you boot your system, using WinPatrol to disable it in your Startup Programs may be the best bet. In some cases, running another Microsoft program such as NetMeetting or Outlook Express may launch it.

We also found a completely unrelated malicious instance of this program. A file called msnmsgr.exe also installs with the Rbot.KX worm. This worm drops msnmsgr.exe in your Windows\System folder and a file called debug.txt in your root folder. It spreads across weakly protected networks, sets itself to run on system startup, it steals CD Keys, and can allow a remote user to access your system. You can find more information at http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM%5FRBOT%2EKX&VSect;=P. We'd recommend removing these files from your Startup Programs and Hidden Files (if present) using WinPatrol.

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