I downloaded the software and dragged the icon over the pop up. It highlighted the source. Should I use the "kill function" that is offered? I stopped there as I was a Little "gun shy".
I have Vista.
1.
Identify Process. What is the name of the source process ? Actually the "suspend" function is slightly better than the "kill" function. If this were true malware and you "killed" the process, there might be a buddy process watching its back which would simply restart the process (while a true buddy would let it sleep in peace). At any rate, killing a process just terminates the current execution and suspend just suspends it. Neither will uninstall and/or remove it from your system. It will return with next system startup or logon.
My immediate goal would be to disable its startup. Long term goal would be to uninstall and delete from system.
2.
Disable Startup. Use a tool which permits you to control program/process startups. There are many "free" tools available. Find the offending process and disable (not delete) its startup. You can delete it later if the vendor provided uninstall/removal is not successful and you're sure it won't negatively affect system operation. Don't go crazy. Deleting or disabling the wrong entry could render your system unbootable.
Vista provides a System Configuration utility which may be used to control "Startup" programs. See
Windows Vista Secret #9: Kill the Startup Monsters.
SysInternals (now Microsoft) provides a more complete listing of startup locations with its Autoruns utility. See
Using Microsoft Technet's free Autoruns utility to manage your start-up programs. For Vista you may use the latest version of the program
Autoruns for Windows v9.56.
With the Autoruns utility running and its "
Everything" tab displayed, you should be able to locate the offending process using
"File" -> "Find" menu navigation and entering name of process to locate. At least it works that way on version 9.13.
3.
Uninstall/Remove Program. It's always best to start with the uninstall tools provided by the responsible vendor. (Yes, I know you did). Over the years several security software vendors have been forced to provide supplemental removal tools (to deflect negative publicity) because their standard uninstall program did not completely remove the product. You usually have to hunt for them. Start with link provided by "
Karnac".
I'm not familiar with TrendMicro products. Perhaps if you provided the complete name and version of your product someone could research the internet and forums for a successful removal solution.
