Svchost Error Messages May Point to Multiple Problems and Should be Fixed ASAP

Sioux Falls, SD – Nov. 20 2009 -- optimize-your-pc.com, a site dedicated to helping users get the most out of their PCs, is sending out a warning about svchost error messages that users may be seeing.

Svchost.exe is a commonly used Windows process. Every time a computer starts up, this executable file checks with the Windows registry and makes a list of the systems service files that need to load. It then “bundles” the service files together and directs their operation, often running several incidences of itself in order to keep the computer running smoothly.

In and of itself, the file isn’t a problem at all. In fact, it is essential to Windows’ functionality. Unfortunately, viruses, spyware, worms and Trojans can cause an svchost error (or several) that can slow any computer to a crawl.

When this happens, the file can sometimes eat up as much as 100% of CPU (central processing unit) functioning and the computer is effectively “locked up”.

Optimize Your PC is also sending out a warning that the problem could have to do with more than just viruses and spyware. The file’s errors could point to a problem that most computer owners simply don’t think about. Yet, it’s a problem most would consider far worse than an infection by malicious software.

An svchost error may mean that an attacker is running one or more programs on the host computer. Cyber-criminals often do this via rootkits or other programs in an effort to hide their trail of criminal activities.

What can concerned computer owners do? Optimize Your PC advises a three-pronged approach:

First, users should check for and download Windows updates at least once a week. Windows updates often include security patches that lessen a system’s vulnerability to attacks by viruses, spyware, and malicious cyber-criminals.

Computer owners are also advised to regularly run anti-virus checks on their computers. These programs can often locate the source of svchost errors so that computers do not become further infected.

Since these kinds of programs make changes to the Windows registry – a problem that anti-virus programs don’t fix – a thorough registry scan is suggested for any computer that has experienced these issues. Concerned parties may visit http://optimize-your-pc.com to learn more about keeping their computers running smoothly in the face of a svchost error.

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Aaron Richter

Customer Support

Optimize Your PC

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