Is Outlook Infected

[Mike Fox]

Something odd is happening with Outlook! After doing my mail, I close
Outlook, and go on to something else, but computer is very slow. Do a
'Cntrl/Alt/Del' to look at 'Windows Task Manager'. 'Outlook' has
vanished from the 'Applications' tab, but it is in the 'Processes' tab
and it is using 99% of CPU resources. It just keeps running
indefinitely at this level until I end the 'Process'. This has
happened several times.

Ran antivirus, Ad-Aware, Spybot and Registry Mechanic and didn't find
anything. I closed the connection with the internet, but that didn't
affect the CPU usage.

Has Outlook been infected by malware? How to find out? How to fix?
Where to go to find out?

I'm running WinXP Pro with Office XP.

Could use some help.

Thanks

 

[K. Orland]

Are you running Fax software, synch software (for use with a handheld
device), or any Add Ins that might hold Outlook open?

 

[Mike Fox]

I'm running Zone Alarm Security Suite which has a hook in Outlook, but
it didn't cause any problem in the past.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Some common reasons why Outlook will not shut down completely when you click either the X or Exit:

1. PDA synchronization software with your PDA in the cradle.
2. WinFax Pro (especially 10.02 in Outlook 2003) - contact their support for an alleged fix.
3. Franklin-Covey Plan Plus!
4. COM Add-ins.
5. Mail reminder add-ins that keep a stub of Outlook open in the background to check for new mail and fire reminders.
6. Anti-virus/firewall programs that are set to scan incoming and outgoing mail.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Mike Fox asked:

| Something odd is happening with Outlook! After doing my mail, I close
| Outlook, and go on to something else, but computer is very slow. Do a
| 'Cntrl/Alt/Del' to look at 'Windows Task Manager'. 'Outlook' has
| vanished from the 'Applications' tab, but it is in the 'Processes' tab
| and it is using 99% of CPU resources. It just keeps running
| indefinitely at this level until I end the 'Process'. This has
| happened several times.
|
| Ran antivirus, Ad-Aware, Spybot and Registry Mechanic and didn't find
| anything. I closed the connection with the internet, but that didn't
| affect the CPU usage.
|
| Has Outlook been infected by malware? How to find out? How to fix?
| Where to go to find out?
|
| I'm running WinXP Pro with Office XP.
|
| Could use some help.
|
| Thanks

 

[Mike Fox]

Thanks for the reply, Milly.
Don't have PDA, WinFax, or Franklin. However, do have Zone Alarm
Security Suite (which till now has worked perfectly) which has a COM
Add-in, Mail Buddy. I'm woking with one of ZA's gurus to see if
there's a problem there.
Mike

 

[Mike Fox]

The problem was the COM Add-in, Mail Buddy by Zone Labs, that caused
the problem. I'm working with Zone Labs to try and fix it. Thanks
for the help.
Mike

Thanks for the reply, Milly.
Don't have PDA, WinFax, or Franklin. However, do have Zone Alarm
Security Suite (which till now has worked perfectly) which has a COM
Add-in, Mail Buddy. I'm woking with one of ZA's gurus to see if
there's a problem there.
Mike

Some common reasons why Outlook will not shut down completely when you click either the X or Exit:

1. PDA synchronization software with your PDA in the cradle.
2. WinFax Pro (especially 10.02 in Outlook 2003) - contact their support for an alleged fix.
3. Franklin-Covey Plan Plus!
4. COM Add-ins.
5. Mail reminder add-ins that keep a stub of Outlook open in the background to check for new mail and fire reminders.
6. Anti-virus/firewall programs that are set to scan incoming and outgoing mail.


--?
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, Mike Fox asked:

| Something odd is happening with Outlook! After doing my mail, I close
| Outlook, and go on to something else, but computer is very slow. Do a
| 'Cntrl/Alt/Del' to look at 'Windows Task Manager'. 'Outlook' has
| vanished from the 'Applications' tab, but it is in the 'Processes' tab
| and it is using 99% of CPU resources. It just keeps running
| indefinitely at this level until I end the 'Process'. This has
| happened several times.
|
| Ran antivirus, Ad-Aware, Spybot and Registry Mechanic and didn't find
| anything. I closed the connection with the internet, but that didn't
| affect the CPU usage.
|
| Has Outlook been infected by malware? How to find out? How to fix?
| Where to go to find out?
|
| I'm running WinXP Pro with Office XP.
|
| Could use some help.
|
| Thanks