I recently downloaded a torrent and noticed an instance of Node.js running on my computer afterward. When I try to end the process, it keeps restarting automatically. I've attempted to kill it using CMD with the command "taskkill /f /im *node*.exe" but it still comes back. I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think this Node.js process was present before I installed the torrent (which was for Illustrator). Should I be worried about this? Is there a way to completely remove Node.js from my computer? I also don't see it listed in the add/remove programs on Windows. Any help would be awesome!
4 Answers
Just a heads up, Node.js is a platform that allows you to run JavaScript on your computer. It's not inherently bad, but if it's behaving strangely, definitely take a closer look!
If Windows Defender doesn’t find anything, you might just be okay. Sometimes Node.js is installed for legitimate applications. Just check what it's linked to – right-click the process and see its properties.
You might want to run a scan with Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus software to check for any malware. It's wise to make sure your system is clear of any threats before deciding what to do with Node.js.
Yeah, I agree! A good antivirus scan can catch things like this. Plus, if you feel something's off, you should definitely check just in case.
Another option is to use Malwarebytes – it's excellent for cleaning up problematic software or malware. That could give you peace of mind if you're unsure about anything you downloaded.
That's a great tip! I had Node.js running too, and it was linked to my Streamdeck software. Turned out to be harmless.