I recently noticed a process called csrss.exe in the Task Manager while using my laptop. After doing some research, I found conflicting information: some sources claim it's a legitimate Windows file, while others suggest it could be a virus. The location shows it's in c:windowssystem32. I'm wondering if this is a virus or not?
2 Answers
You can't really tell if a file is malware just by looking at its name. A smart move would be to run a scan with Windows built-in antivirus to see if it picks up anything suspicious. Just to be safe, keep an eye on your system for any other odd behavior, too.
It's true that viruses can disguise themselves by using names similar to legitimate Windows files, like csrss.exe. To figure out if you're infected, think about the symptoms you're experiencing. Have you noticed anything unusual? Also, what does Windows Defender say? A good step would be to upload the file to a site like VirusTotal for a second opinion.
I actually did a full scan with both Windows Defender and Malwarebytes a couple of weeks ago, and everything came back clean. My CPU usage spikes for a bit when I start up my laptop, but then it calms down, which I heard is normal. I checked, and there's only one instance of csrss.exe running, so I'm hoping that's a good sign.