Wscntfy.exe – File Information
Wscntfy.exe is the Windows Security Center file that was introduced with Windows XP Service Pack 2. The wscntfy.exe process displays an icon in your system tray that provides you the status of Windows updates, virus protection, and firewall. The icon issues reminders in case the Automatic Update feature is disabled or your firewall and virus protection tool are not up-to-date.
By default, in Windows XP computers the wscntfy.exe is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Is it safe to disable wscntfy.exe?
If you do not use a third-party firewall or virus protection tools then it is recommended that you do not disable wscntfy.exe.
If you have protected your system by installing a reliable third-party firewall and security tool, then you can safely get rid of wscntfy.exe.
Can I terminate wscntfy.exe via the Windows Task Manager Window?
No, you cannot. If you terminate wscntfy.exe from the Windows Task Manager the process comes back. To prevent wscntfy.exe from running, you need to disable the Windows Security Center.
If you find the constant pop-ups that wscntfy.exe issues annoying and if you are adept in keeping your Windows computer safe on your own, then you can safely disable the Windows Security Center. To do this, perform the following steps.
- Click Start and then click Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel window, locate and double-click Administrative Services.
- Next, double-click Services.
- In the right-pane of the Services window, locate and double-click Security Center.
- Under the General Tab, select Disable from the Startup type drop-down menu.
- Click Apply to save the changes and then click the OK button.
Wscntfy.exe – Security Rating
The genuine wscntfy.exe is a safe file from Microsoft. However, various malicious programs, such as viruses, worms, and trojans are known to masquerade as wscntfy.exe to escape detection.
How to remove the wscntfy.exe virus
If you have disabled the Windows Security Center but still find wscntfy.exe running on the system or if you don’t use Windows XP SP2 or later Windows versions but have wscntfy.exe running, then chances are your PC is infected. Similarly, multiple instances of wscntfy.exe running may also indicate the presence of a rogue wscntfy.exe.
To remove the wscntfy.exe virus, run a thorough malware scan on your entire computer using advanced antivirus and antispyware software. After you have deleted the malware, perform a registry scan using an efficient registry cleaning tool to remove any unwanted or harmful registry entries that the malicious wscntfy.exe may have added to your registry.
In the future, regularly update your security software and schedule regular malware scans to ensure that your computer’s integrity is never compromised.
For your reference, below is a list of security threats that are known to be associated with wscntfy.exe:
Worm:Win32/QQnof.A [Microsoft]
Worm:Win32/Autorun.OX [Microsoft]
Worm.Win32.VB.mz [Ikarus]
Worm.Win32.Trafaret.a [Kaspersky Lab]
W32/Sality.gen [McAfee]
W32/Rontokbro.gen@MM [McAfee]
W32/Drowor-A [Sophos]
W32/Cekar [McAfee]
W32.SillyFDC [Symantec]
W32.Rontokbro.AN@mm [Symantec]
Virus:Win32/Sality.AM [Microsoft]
Virus.Win32.VB.ft [Kaspersky Lab]
Trojan-Dropper.Agent [Ikarus]
Trojan-Downloader.Win32.Banload [Ikarus]
Trojan-Clicker.Win32.Agent.fjz [Kaspersky Lab]
Trojan.KillAV!sd6 [PC Tools]
Trojan.KillAV [Symantec]
PE_DROWOR.A [Trend Micro]
Mal/Generic-A [Sophos]
Infostealer.Bancos [Symantec]
Generic.dx [McAfee]
Virus.Win32.Sality.aa [Kaspersky Lab]
Mal/Behav-103 [Sophos]
Mal/Sality-B [Sophos]
Mal/VB-F [Sophos]
PE_SALITY.BU [Trend Micro]
PE_SALITY.EK [Trend Micro]
PE_VIRUT.XO [Trend Micro]
Virus.Win32.Virut.q [Kaspersky Lab]
W32/Sality-AM [Sophos]
W32/Vetor-A [Sophos]
W32/Virut.gen [McAfee]
Win32.Virut.Gen.5 [PC Tools]
Win32/Kashu.B [AhnLab]
Trojan-Spy.Bancos!sd6 [PC Tools]
Virus.Win32.Sality.z [Kaspersky Lab]
Win32.Sality.AM.Gen [PC Tools]
Worm.Win32.VB.pa [Kaspersky Lab]
TROJ_VB.DXY [Trend Micro]
PWS-Banker [McAfee]
Possible_RONTK [Trend Micro]
PE_VIRUT.XP [Trend Micro]
PE_SALITY.EN [Trend Micro]
New Malware.d [McAfee]
New Malware.bl [McAfee]
Mal/VBBanc-A [Sophos]
Mal/DelpBanc-A, Mal/Behav-103 [Sophos]
BackDoor-CMI [McAfee]
Backdoor.Win32.DarkMoon.di [Kaspersky Lab]
Backdoor.Trojan [Symantec]
Backdoor.DarkMoon.MH [PC Tools]
Trojan Horse [Symantec]
Trojan-Spy.Agent.AHAB [Ikarus]
Win32/Trafaret.worm.101376 [AhnLab]
W32/Brontok-DQ [Sophos]
Virus.Win32.VB.gk [Kaspersky Lab]
TrojanSpy:Win32/Bancos.gen!C [Microsoft]