🤔 Can I disable COM Surrogate?

You can’t disable COM Surrogate. It’s a core system function within Windows that will be called upon every time an application requests it. I actually tested this by opening the Task Manager on my computer and clicking “End Task” on every instance of COM Surrogate. I then opened a folder in File Explorer and switched to Thumbnail View. As soon as I did this, COM Surrogate once again appeared on my task list. This is normal, and it shouldn’t be interfered with. COM Surrogate is a part of dllhost.exe’s function and a required Windows background process. If in doubt, follow this guide on how to remove malicious instances of COM Surrogate.

🤔 Why does COM Surrogate keep crashing?

It’s totally normal for COM Surrogate to crash occasionally. COM Surrogate is a sacrificial process. In fact, surrogate means to “act in another’s place”. For example, when you open a folder and switch to Thumbnail View, Windows fires a COM Surrogate to draw those thumbnails within File Explorer. If, for whatever reason, this process crashes, instead of having the entirety of File Explorer crash, only COM Surrogate will crash. In other words, COM Surrogate crashing is a form of protection. That being said, consistent crashes or system slow-downs may be the symptom of something more serious. Should COM Surrogate crash frequently, follow the above steps . Your computer may be infected.

🤔 Where is COM Surrogate located?

COM Surrogate is an internal process that is initiated by dllhost.exe — which is located in your System32 folder*. COM Surrogate itself isn’t something you can find in your system files. Therefore, if you do come across “COMSurrogate.exe” or anything similar, your computer is probably infected with malware and you should check out the rest of my instructions for how to remove it. *For the less tech-savvy users, the System32 folder is where Window’s most important .EXE and .DLL files are located. If you were to delete System32, Windows would no longer function.

🤔 Why is the COM Surrogate virus dangerous?

The COM Surrogate virus is dangerous because it can open a backdoor into your system. Hackers can use that backdoor to break into your computer and steal sensitive information. This can include: Usernames Email addresses Passwords Bank account details Credit card information The hacker will even be able to use the backdoor to download more malware onto your system. Trojans can also be used to hijack your operating system for botnets and cryptojacking malware. That’s why it’s imperative that you remove all instances of the COM Surrogate virus, and any other malware that may have infected your system. If you don’t know how to remove a virus from your PC, then check out the rest of my guide for removing COM Surrogate from your computer.

🤔 What does WebHelper do?

WebHelper infects PCs through deceptive downloads, often in the form of scam emails or fake uTorrent clients. Once WebHelper is embedded in your system files, it can: Monitor keystroke and mouse clicks. Take control of other programs. Display ads or play sounds on your computer. Steal bank details. Steal passwords. If your PC is infected with WebHelper, follow the above removal steps and change your passwords when finished.

🤔 How do I uninstall WebHelper?

If you close WebHelper or try to remove it manually, it will boot back up again when you restart your PC. To uninstall WebHelper safely, you need to use virus removal software such as Norton 360 . I’ve written out a few easy steps about how to download and run Norton.

🤔 Why is the WebHelper virus dangerous?

The WebHelper virus is dangerous because it can open a backdoor into your PC, allowing hackers to: Steal valuable data. Modify data. Copy data through the use of keylogging. Hackers often disguise trojans under names you’d deem to be safe, such as WebHelper. That’s why you can never be sure if you’re infected or not. If in doubt, or to remain protected, make sure to always have a high-quality antivirus such as Norton 360 running on your system.

🤔 Can you get viruses on a tablet?

It depends. Both Windows and Android tablets can get viruses, but iPads have really good built-in security protections that limit what files they are able to run, meaning iPads can’t get viruses. However, all tablet users (including iPad users) l have to worry about downloading malicious apps — the Apple App Store, Windows Store, and Google Play Store all have apps that can compromise your security. Plus, whether you’re using Windows, Android, or iOS, you can still have your information compromised online through phishing sites, malicious web trackers, unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and large scale data breaches. Fortunately, the security programs on this list don’t just scan for malware and deceptive apps, they also provide a variety of internet security features to keep you protected against all sorts of cybersecurity threats.

🤔 Doesn’t my tablet have antivirus protection?

Tablets have built-in security protections, but they’re not usually good enough to keep your data and device completely safe. Here’s why: Windows tablets use Windows Defender, Microsoft’s proprietary security software. It’s gotten a lot better in recent years, but it’s not updated often, and it doesn’t have the next-gen malware scanning capabilities of a standalone antivirus program like Norton or McAfee . Androids have Google Play Protect — it’s designed to detect the latest malware and suspicious apps, but it’s not as effective or reliable as third-party competitors like the ones here . iOS devices are pretty secure. They have internal sandboxing which makes it impossible for malicious code to move from one app to the rest of the operating system. They’re safe from “viruses”, but they don’t provide adequate internet security or privacy protections like phishing, privacy leaks, or theft (unlike the apps on this list ).

🤔 What is the best free antivirus for tablets?

If you’re looking for free protection, your best option is Avira . It offers a free mobile security app for Android and iOS devices, and a free Windows antivirus for Windows tablets. Avira is a good free security app that comes with a malware scanner, a network scanner, device optimization, a VPN, and anti-theft protections, but it also comes with some frustrating limitations — there’s a 100 MB/day limit on the VPN (which makes it practically useless), and you also need to upgrade if you want web, microphone, and webcam protections. I recommend most users invest in Avira Prime , which offers coverage for up to 5 computers and tablets as well as a VPN with unlimited browsing data.

🤔 How can I keep my data and tablet safe online?

The single best way to protect your data online is to get an antivirus app with advanced internet security tools, such as anti-phishing software, Wi-Fi scanners, and VPNs. All of the apps on this list have pretty good web protections, but I think that Norton and McAfee provide the best balance of security, high performance, and intuitive features for secure web browsing. If you need to keep a lot of other devices safe on the internet (phones, computers, etc.), read more about the best internet security suites of 2021 .

🤔 What is MSASCuiL.exe?

The typical MSASCuiL executable is a genuine and safe Windows 10 application developed by Microsoft. It’s short for M icro s oft A ntivirus S ecurity C enter U ser I nterface L ogo. Microsoft developed MSASCuiL.exe in 2015 as a component of Windows Defender — Windows’s built-in antivirus engine . MSASCuiL.exe is responsible for displaying the Windows Defender notification icon that you see on your system’s taskbar. In most cases, MSASCuiL.exe won’t harm your system. However, hackers are known to disguise malicious software, such as worms and trojans, by giving them the same names as trusted files (such as MSASCuiL.exe). They do this so that experienced users and virus scanners have a hard time detecting them. If you suspect this has happened to you, follow the above steps on how to remove MSASCuiL.exe.

🤔 How Can MSASCuiL.exe Infect My Computer?

The MSASCuiL.exe virus is pretty common, and it’s most often shared with users through scam emails. If you don’t recognize the email’s sender, and they’re trying to convince you to download a file, then the chances are the email is malicious. Other methods of infection include: Internet File Downloads — If you don’t trust the website you’re on, don’t download any files from it. Social Media Links — With social media being as prominent as it is, many fake accounts share links containing virus downloads. If you see a page that looks too good to be true, chances are it is. Text Messaging Apps — A lot of applications like WhatsApp have their own web clients that users use to share files between their phones and computers. Remember, just because a text messaging application was developed for phones, that doesn’t mean it can’t spread viruses to a computer system.

🤔 Should I Disable MSASCuiL.exe?

No. If you see MSASCuiL.exe running in your task manager, that doesn’t mean your computer is infected. MSASCuiL.exe is often a legitimate file developed by Microsoft. For it to be running in the background of your system isn’t unusual, and to disable it could cause problems regarding the functionality of Windows Defender. When in doubt, follow this guide on how to remove MSASCuiL.exe. It will take you through all the steps necessary in detecting and removing any malicious file on your system.

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Articles by Sam Boyd

Sam Boyd is an avid tech researcher, who has spent the last decade working various roles across many scientific industries. In these roles, he manufactures and prototypes high-end products for prominent deployments across the world. He spends his spare time as an avid gamer, even going as far as data mining files to find hidden secrets.

How to Remove the COM Surrogate Virus in 3 Easy Steps

Short on time? Here’s how to remove the COM Surrogate virus: 1. Scan Device — Run a “Full System Scan” with a high-quality antivirus (Norton is the best). 2. Remove Virus — After the scan is co...

by Sam Boyd January 6, 2021

How to Remove the WebHelper Virus in 3 Easy Steps

Short on time? Here’s how to remove the WebHelper virus: 1. Scan Device — Run a “Full System Scan” with a high-quality antivirus (Norton is the best). 2. Remove Virus — After the scan is comple...

by Sam Boyd January 6, 2021

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5 Best Security Apps for Tablets [2021]: iOS, Android + Windows

Short on time? Here’s the best security app for tablets: 🥇Norton: Excellent virus protection for iOS, Android, and Windows tablets. It uses artificial intelligence to detect all types of malware, identifies m...

by Sam Boyd January 3, 2021

How to Remove the MSASCuiL.exe Virus in 3 Easy Steps

Short on time? Here’s how to remove the MSASCuiL.exe virus: 1. Scan Device — Run a “Full System Scan” with a high-quality antivirus (Norton is the best). 2. Remove Virus — After the scan is complete...

by Sam Boyd October 31, 2020