Data usage dissapearing.

[Euni]

Hi , have not been on here to much, no need as all was going well until  a few  weeks  ago,  around Christmas time. Data disappearing again. Checked with  "Glasswire"  Now can someone tell me  what is   Explorer.exe  ?   C:\windows\syswow64\explorer.exe. That is how it is showing on Glasswire as the the first item using data. How do I delete it? where do I find it ? Counting on  you Gwalk,  or Birddog, hope you can help. I have a new computer since June of last year, windows 7 , if you remember, just the basics, no router or other items, get 500MB daily, used up in about I hr just looking at FB, ebay, newspaper. No gaming, no movies, no Netflix etc.

[C0RR0SIVE]

Explorer.exe is your computers own internal file browser, can't delete it.  It sounds like you may have a serious infection... I suggest downloading and installing MalwareBytes Free Edition from the following link and run a full scan with it.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/thankyou/

The download is about 50MB in size, it will update definitions after install.

[Euni]

thank you, I did that, ran scan, one thread found, deleted, I have Norton antivirus and check  that daily to see if updates are needed, figured that would take care of things.  Lets see  how it goes, I will post again. Your help much appreciated.  I don't do much with my PC, (senior) just FB, ebay  , reading  newspaper, email. that is all.

[BirdDog]

Euni, how do you get Window updates, manually or automatic? Make sure you're not stuck in an update loop where updates fail then keep trying again and again.

[Gwalk900]

Hi Euni,

Definition of explorer.exe:

"explorer.exe is the Windows Program Manager or Windows Explorer. It manages the Windows Graphical Shell including the Start menu, taskbar, desktop, and File Manager. By removing this process the graphical interface for Windows will disappear."

As a file manager the process really shouldn't be using any data itself. That process however is a favorite target of virus and malware writers.

I have to agree with Corrosive in suspecting a virus or malware infection.

I suggest for starters you read this:

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-explorer-exe-virus/

I also suggest that you download, install, update and scan your computer with the free version of Malwarebytes:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Can you post a screenshot the Glasswire output showing the IP location(s) where explorer.exe is going?

Use this as a guide:

Usage Tab

Apps Button

In the left column click on the process (I highlighted Host Processes as I had no explorer.exe)

In the center window click on the top item, That will display where the process was connecting to.

[Euni]

I did install the free version and ran scan, I threat was removed. Now since I have windows 7, forgot how to do and post snapshot, help.....

[Euni]

Gwalk, I read  the instructions  above, can I print this out?  Are these  programs free?  Oh boy, lots of steps, sure hope I can print it out in order to follow  these instructions....

[Gwalk900]

Hi Euni,

 "Now since I have windows 7, forgot how to do and post snapshot, help...."

Instructions on using the Win7 Snipping Tool can be found here:

http://www.howtogeek.com/207754/how-to-use-the-snipping-tool-in-windows-to-take-screenshots/

To then post the screenshot here in the Community first click the highlighted "camera" icon and then use the highlighted "select a file ...." to select the Snip you wish to post:

Use the opening window to navigate to where you have stored the screenshot on your computer"

"Gwalk, I read  the instructions  above, can I print this out?"

Yes

"Are these  programs free?"

Yes

[Euni]

Thanks Gwalk, I will work on this tomorrow during free time (6am) if I get a chance.  What's interesting, since I ran the Malware that someone suggested, the "explores.exe." no longer appears on Glasswire. Maybe  this took care of it?  I am watching  my Data and will do the things you suggested. You have been of great help as always. Thank you.

[Gwalk900]

As long as it is no longer appearing there is a really good chance that Malwarebyes took care of the issue and things only need to be closely monitored.

There is the free version of Malwarebytes and I run it myself. It is "reactive", that is to say an after-the-fact scanner. Only the paid version runs as a "resident".

As stated, I use the free version and once per week I will manually open the program, update it and do a scan.

I do a manual scan with my anti-virus program weekly also.