Security Task Manager: Knowledge Is Power Unmasking Those Mysterious Running Processes Joseph Moran
When you open up the Windows Task Manager and examine the Process tab, you're likely to find dozens of different processes running on your system (I counted over sixty running on mine.) Many, if not most, of them will have unfamiliar or even cryptic names and offer little if any indication of what the process is, where it came from, or its purpose.
As recently as a few years ago, knowledge about a computer's running processes was esoteric information intended mainly for the technical or intellectually curious. For the most part, it wasn't necessary for the average user to concern him or herself with such matters. But now with the proliferation of spyware and other types of stealth and malevolent software, this type of detailed knowledge is critical in the constant battle to keep your computer from being compromised.
Enter a utility called Security Task Manager from Neuber GbR, which aims to clear up much of the mystery regarding the myriad programs running behind the scenes on your Windows PC.
The Windows Task Manager gives you scant information when you use it to examine the list of running processes. First off, it reports mainly on executable (.exe) files, which is but one form a malicious program might take. Then it provides only the most basic info — filename, amount of CPU and RAM consumed, and whether the process is running under the auspices of the user or the operating system. Sometimes, the filename displayed will make it obvious whether the software is legitimate, but more often than not the Windows Task Manager will leave you scratching your head as to whether a process is safe.
Knowledge Is Power
When you launch Security Task Manager, it scans your system for running programs (including ones resident in the Taskbar), as well as system DLLs and the infamous BHOs (Browser Helper Objects). STM helpfully suppresses the listing of built-in operating system processes, letting you focus on those that may pose a danger.
One look at the results page shows that Security Task Manager reports significantly more process data than you get from Windows. For example, instead of simply reporting the file name, STM shows the full path to the file location, which saves you from having to search for it. STM also displays the program's (usually) unambiguous internal description and its manufacturer/author. (The absence of either piece of information is usually a good indication that a file is questionable). Like Windows Task Manager, STM displays the CPU usage and memory footprint of running processes, but adds other potentially useful bits of information like the date and time each process last started and how long it's been active.
