Windows Sound Recorder – SNDREC32.EXE

Sndrec32.exe is the Microsoft Sound Recorder. It installs as part of your Windows operating system. If you're running Windows XP, you'll find this program by selecting Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder. This utility will let you record sounds (generally using a microphone attached to your PC). You can then edit the recording adding some basic special effects. Finally, you can save your work as a .wav file. You can also link sounds to a document or insert/embed them. An extensive amount of additional information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/app_soundrecorder.asp.

This file doesn't need to be running all the time. You can launch it from your start menu when needed. There are some viruses that launch sound recorder in order to be more annoying. Others overwrite your sound record with malicious code. Examples include:
BAT install Trojan - more info at http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/bat.install.trojan.html.
W32.Collo - more info at http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.collo.html.

Safe

Microsoft