How to remove the netmsg virus

Most antivirus programs identify netmsg.exe as malware—such as Kaspersky identifies it as, and Avast identifies it as Win32:Rootkit-gen [Rtk].

The netmsg.exe file is a software component of Net Message Service by AT&T.
"netmsg.exe" is a file that is the main executable in Windows for the Net Message Service by AT&T. It handles the sending of messages through the network to other PCs by way of Windows Messenger. It basically provides a means to send messages to other users on networked PCs and those users do not need additional messaging software to receive them, simply because "netmsg.exe" uses Windows Messenger to process the transmission. The file sends the message to PC(s) and displays the notification over all open windows so that the user cannot ignore the message. It can be used for one-way user communications, but is also used to display ads. AT&T started in 1983 as Southwestern Bell Corporation, providing landline services in the United States. Since then, they have evolved into providing mobile cellular services and cable/broadband services.

netmsg stands for net message


Click to Run a Free Virus Scan for the netmsg.exe malware

Netmsg.exe file information


Description: Netmsg.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. The netmsg.exe file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Known file sizes on Windows 10/8/7/XP are 221,184 bytes (50% of all occurrences), 114,688 bytes or 135,168 bytes. 
There is no file information. The program has no visible window. Netmsg.exe is located in the Windows folder, but it is not a Windows core file. Netmsg.exe is not a Windows core file. The software uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. Therefore the technical security rating is 85% dangerous, however you should also read the user reviews.

Recommended: Identify netmsg.exe related errors

If netmsg.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 72% dangerous. The file size is 253,952 bytes. The software has no file description. The netmsg.exe file is an unknown file in the Windows folder. The program is not visible. Netmsg.exe is not a Windows core file.

External information from Paul Collins:

Important: You should check the netmsg.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.


User Comments

it is part of
  vpn component   (further information)

Summary: Average user rating of netmsg.exe: based on 1 vote with 1 user comment. One user thinks netmsg.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.

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Best practices for resolving netmsg issues

The following programs have also been shown useful for a deeper analysis: Security Task Manager examines the active netmsg process on your computer and clearly tells you what it is doing. Malwarebytes' well-known anti-malware tool tells you if the netmsg.exe on your computer displays annoying ads, slowing it down. This type of unwanted adware program is not considered by some antivirus software to be a virus and is therefore not marked for cleanup.



Other processes

netmsg.exe [all]