Topic: Anybody know what this file is?

[Kepouros]

Can anybody tell me what "CANONHELPER.EXE" is, or does.  It suddenly appeared for the first time a couple of days ago in a warning from my Firewall that it was trying to access the Internet.  My Firewall has no information about it, and I have no Canon hardware connected to my computer.  A search in Windows Explorer reveals that it was created (or modified) on 9th October.  I have not downloaded anything from the Internet for several weeks (other than Windows updates and updates for my security programs), and my security programs have not shown any Trojans either present or arriving.  I cannot find any mention of it on the Internet.

So what on earth is it?  And should I give it Internet access or block it permanently?

[MonsterMum]

Firstly, I don't know what it is or what it does, however I would advise that you block all Internet access permanently.  If you find at a later date that it needs access it can easily be changed

[Shirley]

search for "canon helper" (with a space between the words), it looks like something which is downloaded automatically.

[Kepouros]

Shirley, I`ve searched both with and without a space, but every item that comes up in either case seems to refer to Canon and their Help files in connection with various forms of hardware.  I instructed my Firewall to block all future access, but unfortunately whatever this is it is most persistent and keeps on flashing up the request for access every 2 or 3 minutes -  absolutely maddening.

[iggy]

have you installed anything recently ?

go to start>run type msconfig
hit return
go to the startup tab
see if its showing up in there is it is untick it and select apply
restart ya pc
then wehn it pops up with you have used system config blah blah tick dont show again
see if that stops it

[MrsKP]

just out of pure curiosity, have you scanned it for a virus ?  can you actually see which directory it's sitting in ?

 ???

[Shirley]

I found the information at this site.  Have you been looking around some places with a webcam?

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=160&modelid=8124

"Viewers using a Windows PC can control the camera through Canon's Helper application, which is downloaded automatically by the system."

[Kepouros]

IGGY, thanks.  That was in fact the first thing I did - there`s no mention of it in my startup, and I clean startup out every month or so to get rid of any junk that creeps in.

The only downloads I have had are the normal updates from Microsoft and all my various antivirus, firewall and similar programs.

Mrs. KP, Yes I scanned it for virus, although my antivirus would have picked it up when it first appeared - and yes, I`m bang up to date with it. And yes, I know exactly where it is - there are actually two files, CANONHELPER and CanonHelper.exe


Shirley, Now you really have me bothered.  I`ve never had the slightest interest in webcams and have certainly not been looking an any webcam sites.  However, it looks as though you may have hit the nail on the head, although I haven`t a clue where I may have picked it up from.  I`ve been blocking it every time it`s tried for access, and it hasn`t affected my Internet access in any way, but it keeps popping up about every 3 minutes and is a perfect pest.

I am inclined to delete both the files unless IGGY can tell me some way in which I can  quarantine them and  reinstall them later if I find they are essential in some way.  Any more feedback would be welcome.

[MrsKP]

is the non-executable a text file perhaps, a kind of "read-me".  and are they both in their own folder or just sitting in something's elses folder.

i don't know jack about this by the way, but my curiosity get's the better of me and i'm asking the type of question my OH would !

Inspector Cluseau Loyal

[Kepouros]

The Application file is in C:\WINDOWS, and the executable file is in C:\WINDOWS Prefetch as a PF File (whatever that is)

[Shirley]

ditto, MrsKP.  It was my OH who read the initial message and curiosity got the better of him!

[sally_cinnamon]

Have you tried posting your question on a specific computer forum?  I know there's plenty of peeps on here who know their stuff, but it's just another place to look for answers...?

http://www.itsallpc.co.uk/  ?

The only thing I know is that .exe  "executable" files are programs that do things on your computer, like games and applications, and well, pretty much everything!  Would it be from an internet game maybe?

[MrsKP]

and viruses sally, executables carry viruses.  that's very handy to remember.

but we've already established that's it's clean virus wise.  it's probably something totally harmless, but i don't like it when things suddenly appear like that especially when it sets alarms off lol

i'd try that forum kepouros.  do let us know what the answer is won't you ?

 ;D