Patch.exe what is it?

Question

I got this alert from zone alarm: "patch.exe is trying to access the internet" and this is the first attempt... should I be concern? this computer has windows vista and I couldn't find any other information please help, thanks!

Answer 1

It's part of Zonealarm antispyware update.



If you have anti-spyware in your version of zonealarm

you need to allow it to update.

Application path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\

Updates\unpacked==anti_spyware=SpywareDatabase-70-

Patch.zip\tools\patch.exe



I'm sure other programs use the same name file.

Answer 2

"Patch.exe is a process belonging to Trend Micro PC-cillin AntiVirus software which keeps your computer secure from Internet-bound threats such as Worms and Trojans. This process acts as an auto-updater. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated."

http://www.processlibrary.com/directory/files/patch



It is just your ZoneAlarm firewall asking for your permission to allow a application on your computer access to the internet. It will do this for all applications that it does not know. Once you make the decision if an application is 'safe', ZoneAlarm should then remember and not alert you the next time that the same application needs internet access.



When a new application needs internet access and you have no idea if the application is safe or not, a quick "Google" will usually get you the answer. That's how I got the info about patch.exe:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLG_en___US267&q=patch%2eexe



Good luck.

Answer 3

If you didn't start this program yourself, then it could be bad. I suggest scanning your computer. Something known as patch.exe would usually be something to update a piece of software. But sometimes, viruses may disguise themselves as this.

Answer 4

patch.exe is a process belonging to Trend Micro PC-cillin AntiVirus software. It should be fine to allow it.

Answer 5

Start at the top of this list. Install the products one at a time. After you install each one, be sure to install all of their updates. Have each one complete a full scan before proceeding to the next one. One of these *should* fix your problem. Work down the list until your problem disappears. Keep in mind that everyone of these things is either free of charge or open source. That also means that the updates are free. Running the software with out the updates is the same as not running it at all. In addition to anti-virus software, you should also have anti-spyware software.



You should use more than one anti-spyware package because there is no one spyware package that will detect everything. Each one will pick up things that the others miss. Part of this is based on what gets submitted to the people who make the software which in turn is based on what the users encounter. There are so many that its hard to create a comprehensive list of everything out there that spies on you.



When you're done, be sure to go to Windows Update and apply ALL of the patches. Don't just run the "Express" updates. Run "Custom" and pick all of the software that's available to you. It make take several times before you no longer have patches. Once that's done, be sure to turn on your automatic updates. For Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525. For Vista - http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/updates/faq.mspx



Make sure that you're not running a cracked version of Windows or other software packages. Software doesn't get cracked for the benefit of humanity. It gets cracked because a hacker somewhere wants you run his software on your computer. That means he can use your computer to serve porn and send spam. Or capture your user names and passwords for identity theft.



1) Spybot Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html



2) Windows Defender - http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



3) Lavasoft Adware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.phpi



4) Clamwin Antivirus - http://www.clamwin.com/



5) Fsecure Black Light - http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/