Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE Threat Level:

Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE is a trojan that opens a backdoor in your system to import tons of spyware and adware. Besides getting flooded with tons of popup ads from Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE, Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE also becomes a security issue.

You wouldn’t let a stranger into your house, so don’t let them into your computer. Even if they’re hot (yeah, that means most porn, sorry).

Do You Have Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE manually, you need to delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files. Not sure how to delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Stop Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE processes:

Note: In any Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files in Windows.

How to delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE processes.
4. Once you’ve found the Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE.

How to remove Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE’s registry keys.
4. As soon as Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE registry key appears, you can delete the Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE DLL files:

1. First locate Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files for you, and then manually delete Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE files.

How Did You Get Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE?

Wondering how Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE

If you’re infected with Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE.

Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE May Be a Trojan

Trojans install themselves secretly onto your computer, most often through your downloading a simple email attachment (often Trojans pose as harmless pictures). Most Trojans are able to gain complete control over your PC after installation. With this control, the Trojan and the hacker behind it may change your system settings, delete important files, steal your passwords, and watch your computer acitivity.

Infection Methods of Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE and Other Trojans

Most Trojans infect your computer by tricking you into launching an infected file. This poisoned file could disguised as a small file, such as a jpeg or other email attachment, or it might be downloaded via a website or FTP.

• Email: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you download infected email attachments, or sometimes even when you simply open an email. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Microsoft Outlook. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting infected by a Trojan by using a spam-blocking software.
• Websites: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you visit a rogue site. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Internet Explorer web browser so that by simply visiting a website you may unknowingly download a Trojan.
• Open ports: If your computer runs programs that provide file-sharing functions – such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and more – you may open your computer up to vulnerabilities. Using file sharing through these applications may create a network that gives attackers the opportunity to remotely access your computer.

Trojan-Downloader.Agent-CRE May Be Adware

Adware is software designed to promote advertisements. Often, free utilities may install hidden adware, sometimes to earn money for the author to recover development costs. While adware is not always malicious, it can track your Internet activity and send this and other personal information from your computer to advertisers. When advertisers get this information, you may be a target for pop-up/pop-under advertisements, web browser toolbars, and spam.