Whst is the lsass.exe? It is the Local Security Authority SubSystem component of Microsoft Windows. Basically, all the security related mechanisms run in the context of the LSA.

The lsass.exe is not a virus, and it usually located at c:\windows\system32\lsass.exe. However, there is a few viruses that have been found to run as lsass.exe to hide from you:

W32.HLLW.Lovgate.C@mm - Symantec Corporation, W32.Mydoom.L@mm - Symantec Corporation, W32.Nimos.Worm - Symantec Corporation, W32.Sasser.E.Worm (Lsasss.exe) - McAfee With the sasser worm code count down you will see that the code given with that symptom is almost always -1073741819 (which for the record would be 0xC0000005 -a much more common failure code indicating an unrecoverable page fault).

This component can be removed or replaced by some virus, as result you can see lsass.exe error: unable to locate component on windows startup.

To restore the process you must to use installation CD of your windows. Boot from it and select repair.

This process is only exists in Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP, so if you see this process on your Win98 or Windows Millennium installation. You should have a suspicion that you have a virus.

Also there is a trojan named isass.exe, in default font i looks very similar to small l. This trojan is backdoor, after virus is installed in system it open the TCP port 3410 and listen for malefactor commands on it. This virus derived from Optix Pro trojan.

Be aware that virus can be masked as the same name but different directory, or use more similar names such as 1sass.exe, or lsas.exe or something close.

If you have any suggestions or you noticed some inaccuracy feel free to contact us. All information provided here is not pretended to be absolutely correct, as said earlier if you want to advice something you are always welcome.

You can download free spyware removal tools from Microsoft. Also good section about removing parasite on CNET.COM. Try searching on SimTel using keyword spyware.

Please listen to our several advises:

• try do not use Internet Explorer and use FireFox instead
• refrain from using Outlook and find more secure alternative as Thunderbird from Mozilla foundation or The Bat from Rit Labs
• be careful with attachment which you receiving from strangers (and even your friends because they can be virused too), very often behind enticing name hiding malicious virus
• do not download programs from suspicious sites (i.e. with bad design or which forces you to install some program to continue viewing, or any dialers)
• do not download cracks and key generators because they often contain viruses or even they are turn up trojan programs
• keep antivirus installed on your computer and check every downloaded program from Net even if you think that you downloaded it from authoritative site
• and final advice is to keep Windows Updating always on, do not grudge for your bandwidth, because is malicious program can waste your bandwidth even more!