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What is RuntimerBroker.exe? A Virus or Malware and Uninstall

What is RuntimerBroker.exe? A Virus or Malware and Uninstall? Do you have it installed? What does this app do? Where did it come from? Is it safe to delete or stop running this app? How can I remove this app now? All of these are common questions and answers, to the app called RuntimerBroker.exe. In this article, we will attempt to answer all of these questions and more to give you the peace of mind that you are looking for in regard to this program running on your PC or Laptop computer system.

Introduction

Computer viruses, malware, and other malicious software are pretty common nowadays, but you don’t have to be a computer expert to know if your device is infected or not. The best way to figure this out is by downloading an anti-virus program like Avast! which has a free version that does the job for most people. It scans for things such as malware, Trojans, worms, ransomware, spyware, and any other malicious programs that might infect your system.  If the issue persists after using the antivirus program then it’s recommended to take some steps further in order to fix the problem once and for all.

What is RuntimerBroker.exe?

RuntimerBroker.exe, also known as a Rootkit, is a type of malware that installs its own driver to take control of the system without authorization. The file can be found in the Task Manager’s list of processes, under RUNTIMEBROKER. It runs in the background without any visible indication to the user, which is why it’s often mistaken for a virus or malware and uninstalled as soon as possible. RuntimerBroker.exe steals data from an infected machine and then sends them off to remote servers. Once on these servers, they are analyzed by cyber criminals who use the data for various malicious purposes such as identity theft, espionage, etcetera. 

Therefore you should uninstall this file immediately if you have it installed on your PC! To find out whether or not you do, please follow these steps: open your task manager; click the Processes tab; scroll down until you see no longer appear at the bottom. If the process still appears there, proceed with Step 3.  If you want extra protection against future infections like these, install antivirus software. 

When you start up your computer again, run the scan first and make sure it doesn’t detect anything else. Otherwise, restart your computer and repeat the scan until all traces of infection are removed. As always, we recommend scanning your computer with antivirus software first because it provides excellent defense against many different types of attacks. If you’re unsure about what type of attack your PC may be experiencing, contact us here!

Is RuntimerBroker.exe a Virus or Malware?

RuntimerBroker.exe is not a virus, but it may be malware. It’s also possible that it’s a legitimate file that was accidentally included by a software installer or downloaded from the internet by the user. The important thing to remember is that, unless you know what this executable file does, then don’t download it. 

If you want to keep it on your system for some reason (even though we highly discourage this), then install an antivirus program and scan your computer with it regularly to make sure the executable isn’t doing anything malicious. 

Be wary of any unknown .exe files in general, even if they come from sources like Google Drive or Dropbox. They might contain harmful code that can steal information or damage your computer. When it comes to downloading new programs and updates, stick to the official source whenever possible. 

How to Uninstall RuntimerBroker.exe

RuntimerBroker.exe is a virus that affects the computer’s system files, and like any virus, it can be difficult to get rid of. The first step in uninstalling RuntimerBroker.exe is to run an antivirus scan with programs such as Norton Antivirus, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, or Avast Antivirus. Next, remove all traces of RuntimerBroker.exe from your computer by going into your Control Panel and locating the program file under Programs and Features (or Apps & features). 

Find the entry for RuntimerBroker.exe under Permanent Items, right-click on it, then select Uninstall/Remove. When the uninstaller comes up, click on Remove. Confirm the removal and wait for the process to finish before restarting your computer if necessary. 

It may take time depending on how many items you have installed so be patient! You will also need to delete any remnant folders left behind by removing the entries through Windows Explorer. To do this go back to the Control Panel, find Files Types, and double-click on Hidden Files and Folders. You should see a folder called Temporary Internet Files at the bottom of your list–double click on it, then delete everything in there (it should only be one or two items). 

Empty your Recycle Bin after deleting these folders as well. Once completed, reboot your computer once more before proceeding. 

It may seem tedious but sometimes we must work diligently to rid our systems of viruses.

Should I Disable The Runtime Broker?

There are a few ways you can tell if you have this file: 

  1. Search your PC for a runtime broker. If it comes up, the program may be running in the background without your knowledge. 
  2. Check your Processes tab to see if there’s an entry for RuntimerBroker in the list of processes that are currently running on your computer. 
  3. Check your Startup tab to see if it’s set to start with Windows. If it is, then it could also be running without your knowledge. You can disable this by going into Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services. Look for RuntimerBroker in the right-hand column of services and double-click on them to change the startup type from Automatic (the default setting) to Disabled.

Conclusion

RuntimerBroker.exe can be both a virus and malware, but it also has some legitimate uses, such as system maintenance in Windows XP Service Pack 2. If you find that your computer has this file installed and you are not using Windows XP Service Pack 2, then your computer may have been infected with malware which should be removed immediately.

 

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Michelle Paulsen

Michelle, a former author for renowned tech publications TechCrunch and The Verge, has established herself as a prominent figure in technology journalism. With her deep industry knowledge and experience, she excels at breaking down complex tech topics into engaging, reader-friendly articles. Known for her sharp analysis and compelling storytelling, Michelle has a proven track record of enlightening readers about the latest tech trends and innovations.

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