What is Form 1?

[pooroldcodger]

Hello all. I have a modest Dell Computer with Windows XP and I have noticed in the tray along the bottom of the screen a program called "Form 1" starts up automaticallly. I always press ctr/ alt/ delete to stop it, but what is it and where did it come from? Isd it harmful? I have tried googling it but didn't learn much. Thanks in advance if anybody knows.

 

[custard]

http://www.freepchelp.co.uk/forum/windows-2000-and-xp/8054-does-anybody-know-form1.html

dodgy screen saver

 

[arc]

Form1 = default name of a screen when using Visual Studio.

 

[401kill]

Form1 = default name of a screen when using Visual Studio.

And therefore whatever it is, it is probably a rushed and poorly written VB6 program.

It may be some script kiddie's half-baked attempt at a writing a virus, or it might even be software written by Dell themselves (or on their behalf). I've seen a few big names who couldn't even be bothered to change their window titles from "form 1".

I would recommend virus scanning your machine to be on the safe side.

 

[pooroldcodger]

Sounds good advice to me> I will do so right away. There is another as well called alg.exe which I don't recognise either.
Thanks all.

 

[arc]

ALG is a needed part of Windows - but it can be injected with a virus.

What Antivirus software do you have? I advise Avast or AVG (both free). If you want to pay for some (no need really) then Nod32 - avoid McAffee and Norton -even if free/came with the computer. Remove them and kill them to death.

 

[401kill]

I would happily take McAfee over AVG any day.. Seen waaay more AVG Free machines infected than McAfee in my line of work!

Totally agree with exterminating Norton though!

 

[pooroldcodger]

Thanks for all the above. I have used Norton but it seems to want to tell you what to do and control everything you do as well- and take forever doing it!
Thanks for the advice folks. Will McAfee find out if Alg.exe has been infected? What if it has? If it is needed, then can it remove the virus and leave the part that is needed working?

 

[Oakley28]

Thanks for all the above. I have used Norton but it seems to want to tell you what to do and control everything you do as well- and take forever doing it!
Thanks for the advice folks. Will McAfee find out if Alg.exe has been infected? What if it has? If it is needed, then can it remove the virus and leave the part that is needed working?

Nod-32 is great. Never had trouble using that. Grab a copy of malwarebytes and run that. Highly recommended malware program. AVG is also a good piece of kit.

+1 on avoiding McAfee and Norton though.