Multiple Programs – SHELL.EXE

Webopedia defines a "shell" as the outermost layer of a program. Shell is another term for user interface. A command shell is a shell is the command processor interface. The command processor is the program that executes operating system commands. As you might guess, we found multiple programs using a file called shell.exe.

Shell.exe installs with WordPerfect Office by Corel. More information can be found at http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pfid;=1047024307359. This instance of the file is safe.

Shell.exe installs as part of the Windows CE operating system. More information can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/default.aspx. This file is safe.

Shell.exe installs as part of the W32/Mytob-CA worm. This worm can allow a remote user to access your PC. It can turn off your antivirus protection, it can steal information, and it can send itself to people in your address book. More information can be found at http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w32mytobca.html.

Shell.exe installs with adware.buddylinks. This program can generate unwanted ads and can send itself to anyone in your Instant Messenger buddy list. Other files installed include blaim.dll, blengine.exe, blengine.dll, game_dll.exe, and game_install.exe. More information can be found at http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.buddylinks.html.

If you have the virus or adware instance of this file, we'd recommend removing it using WinPatrol. First, kill the file or files under Active Tasks then remove it/them from your Startup Programs. If running WinPatrol 8.x, right click the file or files then select "Delete file on reboot".

Because this is a common name, other programs may be using it.

Safe if not Virus/Adware