Running Processes
When a PC is running certain functions, programmes and
applications start up at boot and then either terminate, when
they've done their job, or continue to run if required. These
can run to quite a list. Unnecessary processes steal system
resources of speed and efficiency and can slow down and even crash
your machine. Worse, if they are malicious they may damage
your machine, hijack your private data and information and perform
various illicit functions without your knowledge. For these
reasons, it pays to keep a skeptical eye on what is running in the
background on your machine. A short learning curve will turn
you into a process guru and make it very difficult for the bad guys
to slip something past you. Also, your machine will run more
efficiently.
To access your running processes and take a peek:
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and the Task Manager window will
popup.
- Choose the the Processes tab and scroll down to view the
full list.
Caution! Don't click the 'End Process' button at the
bottom of the window unless you're satisfied the process is not
required by Windows to keep your machine running! If any of
the running processes do not look familiar to you, look them up in
the Process library I've provided access to on this page.
Once you've checked them out either make a list of all, some, or
just those that catch your eye, and read up about them from the list
below.
Note: I have pointed you towards PC Pitstop's
wonderful Processes Library for this purpose. If you want
to access in a separate Browser window click the link here:
PC Pitstop Process Library. Otherwise, just scroll
down and view the page in the inline frame I've provided.
If you want to run any of the online scans PC Pitstop provide be
sure to launch the page in its own Browser window by clicking
PC Pitstop Process Library.
WinPatrol:
I highly recommend
Bill
Pytlovany's pet digital watchdog, 'Scotty', to provide you with
constant security against the infiltration of your machine by
unwanted programmes and apps. Scotty, is the pet name for
WinPatrol, Bill's neat programme that you can download and install
from here: WinPatrol.
You can use WinPatrol for free, or purchase the PRO version if you
wish. The advantage of the Pro version, which I use, is that
you have access to Bill's other resources for tracking down rogue
apps.
JC's PC Care Site