Multiple Programs - REALPLAY.EXE

Realplay.exe is the executable for RealPlayer and Real Player Plus by RealNetworks. The latest version of the ever-popuplar real player lets you play popular audio and video formats including the proprietary .ra/.ram formats and many 3rd party formats. You can download music for a fee from the Rhapsody music service, apply skins, and transfer files to portable players. The Plus version adds a 10 band graphic EQ and analog recording. It will also let you burn CDs and DVDs. You'll find more information and support at http://service.real.com/realplayer/.

You may have intentionally installed Real Player or it may have come preinstalled on your system. It also installs with other software including America Online and with hardware including the Sandisk Sansa MP3 Players.

This program doesn't necessarily need to be running all the time. But it is notoriously difficult to keep it from running on system startup. If you wish to do so, consider using WinPatrol to disable it from your Startup Programs. You'll also find instructions for installing or uninstalling Real Player at http://service.real.com/realplayer/support.html?section=uninstallRP.

Realplay.exe can be infected or overwritten by the RapidBlaster adware program and the BugBear virus. More information can be found at http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/bugbear_b.shtml.

Realplay.exe also installs to your Windows\System or System32 folder with the W32/Rbot-NK worm. This worm runs on system startup, downloads code from the Internet, reduces system security, logs keystrokes in the hope of stealing personal information and can allow a remote user to access your system. You'll find more information at http://www.sophos.com/security/analyses/w32rbotnk.html. If you have a malicious instance of this file, we'd recommend removal using WinPatrol. First, kill it under Active Tasks then remove it from your Startup Programs. If running WinPatrol 8.x or later, right click the file then select "Delete file on Reboot". Finally, reboot your system.

Safe if not Virus/Adware

Real.com