What is crss.exe?
The crss.exe process is registered as the W32.AGOBOT.GH Worm. The crss.exe virus is spread through e-mails and the virus is executed when a user opens the e-mail attachment that contains the virus. This virus has its own SMTP engine that it uses to redistribute itself. In some cases, attackers use this worm to remotely gain access to an infected system to steal personal and confidential information, such as credit card numbers, online banking details, and email passwords.
As you can guess, crss.exe is a grave security threat and should be immediately removed if found running on a computer.
What are the security threats that are associated with crss.exe?
Below is a list of known malware that are known to be associated with crss.exe:
Trojan Horse [Symantec]
Worm.Win32.AutoRun.yq [Kaspersky Lab]
Win-Trojan/ProAgent.13312 [AhnLab]
W32/Colit-A [Sophos]
Virus.Win32.AutoRun.k [Kaspersky Lab]
Trojan.Progent [PC Tools]
Trojan.Dropper [Symantec]
TROJ_PROGEN121.A [Trend Micro]
TROJ_AUTORUN.ANK [Trend Micro]
Troj/Keylogg-E [Sophos]
Possible_Mlwr-7 [Trend Micro]
not-a-virus:Monitor.Win32.FamilyKeyLogger.230 [Kaspersky Lab]
not-a-virus:Monitor.Win32.FamilyKeyLogger [Ikarus]
not-a-virus:Client-IRC.Win32.mIRC.603 [Kaspersky Lab]
IRC/Flood.mirc [McAfee]
Backdoor:Win32/Rbot.gen [Microsoft]
Backdoor:Win32/Mobibez.gen!A [Microsoft]
Backdoor.Win32.Hupigon.fbom [Kaspersky Lab]
Backdoor.Trojan [Symantec]
Backdoor.Hupigon [PC Tools]
Backdoor.Delf.AAIG [PC Tools]
BackDoor-EAU [McAfee]
Downloader.Trojan [Symantec]
Trojan-PSW.Win32.WebMoner.t [Kaspersky Lab]
Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Banload.abg [Kaspersky Lab]
Trojan.Win32.Agent.gwy [Kaspersky Lab]
Trojan.WebMoney [Symantec]
Trojan.VB.NKW [Ikarus]
Trojan.VB.EEHX [PC Tools]
Trojan.Agent.EJYJ [PC Tools]
PWS-Banker [McAfee]
New Malware.d [McAfee]
Mal/VBDos-A [Sophos]
Mal/Stealer-A [Sophos]
Mal/CryptBox-A, Mal/Behav-319 [Sophos]
Keylog-Bansaka [McAfee]
Hacktool.Keylogger [Symantec]
TSPY_BANKER.JPP [Trend Micro]
TSPY_WEBMONER.BF [Trend Micro]
VirTool.Win32.DelfInject [Ikarus]
W32.Ackantta@mm [Symantec]
W32/Sdbot.worm.gen.ax [McAfee]
Worm:Win32/Prolaco.D [Microsoft]
Worm.Win32.AutoRun [Ikarus]
Win-Trojan/Xema.variant [AhnLab]
Win-Trojan/CeeInject.449536 [AhnLab]
W32/Xirtem@MM [McAfee]
The malicious crss.exe file can exist in various locations on an infected PC. For example, you are quite likely to find the crss.exe file in the following locations on your computer:
%System%\crss.exe
%System%\dllcache\crss.exe
%Temp%\crss.exe
%Temp%\csrss.exe
%Windir%\crss.exe
%Windir%\system\crss.exe
Note:
- %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder on your Windows computer. By default, in Windows XP computer, the path is C:\Windows\System32.
- %Temp% is a variable that points to the temporary folder on your computer. In Windows XP computer, the default path is C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Local Settings\Temp.
- %Windir% is a variable that points to the Windows installation folder. By default, it is C:\Windows for Windows XP.
How to get rid of crss.exe virus?
To remove the crss.exe virus from your Windows computer, run a full system malware scan using advanced and updated security software, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease.
Crss.exe Error
When your Windows computer starts, you may receive an error message similar to the one displayed below:
?Windows cannot find C:\WINDOWS\crss.exr?
Cause of the Error
Typically, the above error occurs when your protective suite fails to remove registry entries related to the crss.exe file.
Resolution
To resolve the error, remove the startup crss.exe entries in the registry. To achieve this, scan your registry using a reliable registry cleaner tool, such as RegServe.
In the future, we recommend you install protective software that ensures complete removal of malware programs from your computer.
Are csrss.exe and crss.exe the same process?
No, they are not. Csrss.exe (Client Server Runtime Process) is a critical Windows process, whereas crss.exe, as discussed above, is a registered Worm.
Please note the extra ?s? in csrss.exe and do not confuse it with the malicious crss.exe process. The csrss.exe process controls threading and Win32 console Windows features and performs critical functions for a Windows operating system. It is recommended that you do not terminate the csrss.exe process. If csrss.exe is unavailable, your Windows computer may become unstable.