a.exe – What is a.exe and Should I remove it?

The file a.exe was first noticed on June 11, 2007 in the US. It often refers to multiple versions of executable program and is considered a security risk. The file a.exe is transferred via email mostly and gets installed on its own on the computer. Whenever a.exe is installed, it registers itself as a worm called W32.Ahlem.A@mm.

The a.exe file is capable of performing several behaviors. It can add a registry key that auto starts the Programs while the system boots. The a.exe can execute a process on its own and write into virtual memory of another process. It can potentially communicate with other systems by the use of TCP protocols.

The a.exe can delete and create other processes that are present in the disk. It can read phone book information and email addresses. The a.exe can even execute processes that are stored in temporary folders. It can read the contents of autoexec.bat file.

The a.exe retrieves the websites’ IP address by making use of DNS. It uses IRC protocols so as to make outbound communications to IM chat rooms and services of other computers. As the worst case, the a.exe can obtain control of the entire system or keep trace of the mouse activity and keyboard intent by hooking code into the processes that are active.

The most common size of the file a.exe is 65Kb and is related with CWS.Paytime-Hijacker, which is a malware group. The a.exe has to be removed from the computer as soon as you detect it because it is most often a spyware or an adware.