Trust malware creators to invade your PC by pretending to be a critical Windows process. You see, csrss is short for Client Server Run-Time Subsystem and it is a vital part of your Windows operating system.
The csrss.exe file is responsible for most of the graphical instruction sets in Windows and as such, it needs to run all the time. If you accidentally get rid of csrss.exe, then you run the risk of your PC crashing or your system showing you the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSoD).
So what’s the problem?
When the csrss file produced an error on your PC, it probably not the REAL Windows file causing this but a Trojan that has found its way into your system
A Trojan or Trojan horse is malicious software specifically designed to enable hackers to tap into your system without you knowing it. By doing so, a hacker can remotely access your PC and steal valuable private and financial information about you from under your nose.
How to Detect if the Csrss.exe File on Your PC is a Valid File or a Trojan
Location, location, location! The real csrss.exe file is located in your C:\Windows\System32 directory and there should only be ONE instance of this file running at any given instance. Anywhere else you may find this file is a good indicator that it’s a Trojan and as such, serious csrss removal procedures should be undertaken.
Another thing to note is that this file is usually not very big at all (file sizes detected on Windows XP are about 4,000 to just under 8,000 bytes). So if you see this file having a big byte size, then it’s another indication that the file is a virus or Trojan.
How to Remove the FAKE Csrss.exe File from Your PC
Disclaimer: Always exercise caution when editing system processes. Remember, the crss.exe file IS an important Windows application so don’t make changes if you’re not sure.
1) Manually try to end the fake Csrss.exe process.
a) Restart your PC. During the boot up sequence, start tapping F8 on your keyboard. This will bring you to the Windows Advanced Startup Options.
b) Click Safe Mode to open the Windows Task Manager.
c) Under Processes, look for csrss.exe. If it says SYSTEM next to it, it’s valid; if it says Owner or something else, click End Process.
2) Use anti-virus software. If you don’t want to manually fiddle with your system, you can run an anti-virus application to get rid of the fake csrss.exe file.
3) Use a registry cleaner. Note that even after running anti-virus software, remnants of this Trojan can still be in your Windows registry. I suggest you run a registry cleaner as well to ensure that no other fake csrss.exe application is residing elsewhere in your system.
The csrss.exe Trojan is definitely one of the nastiest malware around. The minute you suspect it’s presence on your system, get rid of it ASAP.
