Event Viewer Mystery Entry

[Stryker]

Hey all,

When I logged in after work today (WinXP SP2), one of those little Security Center alerts popped up from my system tray saying that the system has automatically restarted due to an installed update. I've never seen this before and I've had SP2 installed for quite a while, and there have been plenty of updates on my system prior to this without restarting automatically (manually yes... not automatically).

It didn't stay long enough for me to get a screen shot, but I found the entry that's attached to this thread in my Event Viewer. Looks like it's related.

The question...? Has anyone experienced this auto-restart before and do you recognize the Event Log entry? I clicked the link in the Event Log but it really didn't help at all. I realize that whatever was intalled is probably a good thing, but I don't like things being installed on my system without being prompted so now I'm curious.

Thanks folks,
Stryker

[Force Flow]

Try running a spyware scan.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Force Flow Try running a spyware scan.

Really? There is spyware that could cause a reboot? I didn't realize there was spyware and junk that's powerful enough to cause something like this but I have been wrong before (only a few times though).

By the way, in NO way do I doubt the validity of your response, I'm just curious as I haven't ever seen this before.

I haven't really been surfing since my last scan with Adaware and Spybot S&D (only a few days ago) but I'll get one going tonight and see if anything is found.

Thanks FF,
Stryker

[Force Flow]

It's not unheard of for certain forms of spyware to cause reboots or login looping.

You also may want to scan for trojans: http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojan...hecksystem.asp

[Stryker]

Thanks for the help Force Flow,
And thanks for the URL too... I will give it a shot tonight when I get home.
Stryker

[Corky]

"I don't like things being installed on my system without being prompted so now I'm curious"

Same here, that's why I always disable the Auto Update.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Corky Same here, that's why I always disable the Auto update.

That's why this was so strange. My system is configured to let me know when updates are downloaded and then I install them as I choose. This one just opened up the door and let itself in (hopefully it didn't watch TV or eat any of my food!!).