What is isass.exe? Should I remove it?

Isass.exe – a component of a malicious program that should be eradicated immediately

isass.exe is the main component of the backdoor, which is a variant of OptixPro malware, although it can also be used by other malicious programs. The executable file is responsible for launching parasites, loading the main components of malicious programs, and running a destructive payload.

You can either encounter a process running in the background of Windows or download a file from the internet under the same name. Regardless of which case applies to you, you should never execute the file or delete it immediately, as it is a malware component that would compromise your online security and safety.

First of all, it is important to note that isass.exe tries to imitate a crucial Windows component Lsass.exe, which stands for Local Security Authority Subsystem Service and is used for various security policy management implementations. Hackers are known to name their malicious files similarly or identically to those used by the operating system itself.

For example, a svchost.exe is a common system file that can be seen running on any Windows operating system, although, if launched by malware, the process becomes malicious. Thus, you should always be vigilant when dealing with unknown background processes or EXE files of unknown origin.

The isass.exe file is installed and used by a backdoor. You have to delete the file immediately after you have found it. The parasite will continue to violate your privacy and harm your computer unless malware and all related objects will not be completely removed from the system. If you have difficulties erasing the file, consider using an anti-spyware program such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner.

Sometimes the presence of this file does not indicate that your computer is infected. It can be an essential system file or a file installed by harmless legitimate software and therefore may not pose any threat to your privacy and the system. Although such cases are quite rare, you should thoroughly examine the executable before completely deleting or leaving it in the system.

Malware could be installed automatically

Social engineering is an important aspect and skill of the hackers, which often determines whether a particular strain will be successful or not and how many people will be affected by it. Spam emails are among the most prominent malware distribution methods, thanks to this technique. That being said, it is not surprising that most people install malicious programs themselves after being tricked into doing so.

However, there are more sophisticated distribution methods, they include:

• manual malware installation via open RDP or other connections;
• drive-by downloads;
• hidden malicious code in image files;
• software vulnerabilities, etc.

Thus, if circumstances are right, you could infect your device without really downloading anything yourself. To avoid that, you need to make sure that your Windows and the installed software is patched with the latest security updates. Of course, a powerful anti-malware tool can also save you immensely in various situations, so never ignore security program warnings.

Eradicate malware with security software automatically

It is very true that malicious programs and their components can be deleted manually. However, this job is better to be left for professionals, as regular computer users would not even know where to start and what to look at. Besides, incorrect deletion of system files might result in further OS damage, complicating matters even more.

Therefore, you should remove isass.exe with the help of robust anti-malware software – we recommend SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Download security up, bring it to the latest version, and perform an in-depth system scan. This will ensure that all the malicious components are eliminated at once. If an anti-malware solution is incapable of fixing virus damage done to the system files, you could try using ReimageIntego to avoid reinstallation of Windows.