WinLog.exe

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2010 08:24 Friday, 20 November 2009 10:34

Harmful - EXE

This file name WinLog.exe has appeared in an virus analysis report. You can see the report at threatexpert.com

However this is not the only installer that might use this file name. Your best chance of disinfection depends upon identifying the correct virus installer that might have infected your computer. 

It creates the following file on the infected computer
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\WinLog.exe

This is a misleading file name  due to its resemblance with a legitimate file named winlogon.exe which is located by default at C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore you can safely assume winlog.exe to be an unwanted file and delete it no matter where it is located. 

You need to search and delete it. You should end any running process named winlog.exe from Task Manager, and also remove the file's entry from windows startup.

Using System Restore

If you know the duration since your computer is infected, you can try to restore your computer at a prior date, that will be an easy way to undo the changes done by the virus

Using System Restore in windows XP

Using System Restore in windows Vista

Boot in safe mode

Sometimes you will not be able to delete a file even if you find it, in that case you should boot in safe mode and then try to delete it/ them.

• How to boot in safe in windows XP

• How to boot in safe mode in windows Vista

Before you could delete winlog.exe and its associated files you need to search for them, and before doing that you need to enable to view hidden files and folders 

•  How to Enable to View Hidden Files and Folders in Windows XP
  •         How to Enable to View Hidden Files and Folders in Windows Vista

You can find out if a process appearing in your task manager is useful or harmful by using Windows Defender to see the path of a currently running program/ process and its publisher, so as to differentiate malware processes from those belonging to legitimate publishers. You may find such processes listed under Unknown Publisher in windows defender.

How to use Windows Defender in windows XP

How to use Windows Defender in windows Vista

• How to use Sysinternal's Process Explorer 

Removing entry from windows startup

The system configuration can be started in xp and in vista by typing msconfig in the run box/ start menu search box. In xp by clicking on Start > run . The windows startup is reversible, therefore you can check / uncheck any entry from windows startup any number of times.

After the system configuration window is open, Click on the Startup tab, that will list all the programs that are scheduled to start with windows. Expand the middle column using your mouse pointer so that you can see the full path of the program. Locate and uncheck  "winlog.exe" (llook for any other suspicious names)  Press Apply , Press Close/Ok , Select  "restart" at the next prompt.

Deleting files

After restarting the computer, use the windows search utility to search for  "winlog.exe" and also search for any other suspicious names that you found and removed in the task manager or in the startup list. This search should find all its folders on the hard disk, delete the folders from the hard disk. 

Variation 2) see report
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\microsoft\winlog.exe

Variation 3) see report 

Files 

C:\Windows\System32\numb
C:\Windows\System32\pass
C:\Windows\System32\text
C:\Windows\System32\Winlog.exe

This virus deletes the task manager
C:\Windows\System32\taskmgr.exe

You can use system file checker utility to repair/ replace the file

Using CCleaner

 Although you can easily get rid of the files in the temp folder simply by running a freeware like the CCleaner, and you will be much safer, if you set CCleaner to run automatically each time the computer starts. more about CCleaner on this link

Free tools to repair disabled registry, task manager problems

Whereas you can repair any the restrictions created by the virus, such as disabled registry tools/ disabled Task Manager etc using these free tools

Tools for Windows XP

Tools for Windows Vista

Use the System File Checker

If you want to make sure that the windows system files are not altered by the virus, and in case if they are altered then to repair them.

• How to run System File Checker utility in windows XP
  • How to run System File Checker utility in windows Vista