Windows 7 Concern About Potential Virus in System32 Folder on x86 OS

[kevin from Chi-town]

I came across this in my system 32 folder. I'm aware that there is a program looking throoughout your lan that uses visual basic. I also came across a site that says this is a virus. Is the anyone else that has this on their x86 OS ?

 

[reghakr]

No Kevin

Not a virus, just part of Windows 7.

It's used by the Network and Sharing Center.

 

[Josephur]

You will also see this in Windows 8. It is scheduled by Task Scheduler by default in both OS's to do some network inventory. Can be found in Task Scheduler, Windows, NetTrace.

Location is:
%windir%\System32\gatherNetworkInfo.vbs

If your wondering if its infected (as it is possible for a vbs file to be maliciously altered), you can check the MD5 sum of these files,
Windows 8's gatherNetworkInfo.vbs should have a sum of bc9cccbe9800c732940c7f8ed335b7d9
Windows 7's should have a sum of 2ae808cb0d9a667b0cf41ea74b3b9bac

If these files have been altered I suggest running a malware and virus scan, as well as "sfc /scannow" to replace corrupted files.

 

[Jimbo22]

Joe, you do realize this post is almost 4 years old...lol. None the less, great information given.

 

[Teemocaptain]

Joe, you do realize this post is almost 4 years old...lol. None the less, great information given.

Can't imagine!

 

[Pauli]

Well, it gives the point of view that it might be important to check what files or folders belong to Windows, and what don't. Like if you get an extra engine in your car... heh.

 

[MIKLO]

Joe, you do realize this post is almost 4 years old...lol. None the less, great information given.

No matter the age of a question there will always be the need of someone having a problem even many years later.
MIKLO