UPDATE:
I sent the file to virus@avast.com. I have not received a reply yet
I also chatted with SBC support about it. Here is their "awesome" reposonse:
Jason 8:27 AM Jun 22 2006
Thank you for using SBC Internet Services. My name is Jason and I have been assigned to your Live Assistance case. While I review the details of your case, please respond back to this message so that I know you are available.
Me:
Can you please tell me what the file "browser.exe" is? It can be found on the SBC DSL Installation CD and is also located in my C:\WINDOWS directory. My Avast!antivirus says that it is malware (a trojan), but I hope that it is a false positive. I would like more information about the file please.
Jason 8:33 AM Jun 22 2006
I understand that you wish to know about "browser.exe" file. Am I right?
Me:
Yes, that is correct.
Jason 8:40 AM Jun 22 2006
"browser.exe" is file can be associated with any browser. However, it could be trojan also. For more information about this file, you may visit
http://www.malwhere.com/processes/browser.exe.htmlJason 8:40 AM Jun 22 2006
If you doubt any file to be a virus or Trojan, you may run virus scan for that particular file.
Me:
Yes, i have already read similar information. The problem is that the file on YOUR installation CD is testing positive for a trojan. Are you distributing viruses on your installation CD's?
Jason:
As I have mentioned you that "browser.exe" file is associated with the installation of Browsers. SBC CD contains the Internet Explorer and SBC Yahoo Browser installation files and they can be associated with this file.
Me:
OK, so the "browser.exe" file on the CD is related to either IE or the Yahoo Browser (but you don't know which)? Is this a false positive from my antivirus program then? (I have already reported it to them)
Jason 8:54 AM Jun 22 2006
Yes, normally this file belongs to the browsers. However, this process name is also used by several malicious applications.
Me:
So is the antivirus program just seeing the name "browser.exe" and thinking the file is malicious?
Jason 8:57 AM Jun 22 2006
Yes, it might be the case.
Me:
Hmmm. Ok then.
Me:
Thank you for your time.
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Any further thoughts here?
PK