aswidsagenta.exe is found in “C:\Program Files,” but isn’t a critical system file. It doesn’t fit in the category of system files at all; instead, it’s a file placed on your computer by a third party.Since it can monitor other applications, you’d be well within reason to raise your suspicions at this point.
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What is aswidsagenta.exe ?
The original aswidsagenta.exe file is a software component of Avast Antivirus by Avast. ASwIdSAgentA stands for Avast Software Identity Protection Service Agent A.
Avast Antivirus is a freeware security program that protects computers against malware, viruses, trojans and computer worms. Aswidsagenta.exe is part of the Avast Behavior Shield, a real-time process monitor. It can be disabled by accessing the Avast User Interface → clicking on Settings → Components → Behavior Shield → select ‘Stop Permanently.’
Avast Antivirus is a freeware security solution available only for non-commercial or home use. The program offers an antivirus program with anti-spyware, anti-phishing, anti-malware, automatic updates, HTTPS scanning, a Home Network Security Scanner, DeepScreen, and much more. The program is available for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Android platforms.
Avast is a cybersecurity firm based in Prague, the Czech Republic that develops antivirus software for a global consumer and corporate market. The company is best known for the development behind the popular Avast Antivirus which currently claims to dominate the cybersecurity market with 400 million users. Avast acquired AVG Technologies for US$1.3 billion in 2016 and remains the market leader in antivirus software.
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the aswidsagenta.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or a trusted application.
Read more: What is aswbIDSAgent?
Aswidsagenta.exe file information
The process is known as Avast Behavior Shield or AVG Software Analyzer or avast! Identity Protection Service
belongs to software Avast Free Antivirus or Avast Premier or AVAST Software s.r.o or AVG Internet Security or AVG AntiVirus FREE or AVG or AVG Protection or Avast Internet Security
by AVAST Software s.r.o or AVAST Software (www.avast.com) or AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o (www.freeavg.com).
Description: Aswidsagenta.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Aswidsagenta.exe is located in a subfolder of “C:\Program Files.” Known file sizes on Windows 10/8/7/XP are 7,430,992 bytes (16% of all occurrences), 7,538,536 bytes and 16 more variants. https://www.file.net/process/aswidsagenta.exe.html
There is no information about the author of the file. The program is not visible. A trustworthy company certifies Aswidsagenta.exe. It is not a Windows system file. Aswidsagenta.exe can monitor applications. Therefore the technical security rating is 22% dangerous.
Should you remove aswidsagenta.exe?
Since the process is most likely a part of the Avast antivirus software, removing it isn’t necessary unless you have a legitimate reason to suspect it might be causing you problems.
Like, for example, if you don’t recall ever installing Avast or if you’re also getting suspicious pop-up windows, in which case it’s likely a form of malware.
If you decide to remove it regardless and you’re using Avast, the program will start throwing warnings saying that the behavior shield was disabled.
Therefore, as one of the posters on the Avast forum has suggested, the better thing to do would be to repair it, especially if it’s driving your CPU all the way to 100%.
1st Fix: Repairing Avast
- Open up the control panel in your Windows operating system.
- Navigate to Program and Features tab.
- Open up the add/remove programs section.
- Choose Avast.
- Click on “repair”.
- Reboot your PC.
- Done!
If this doesn’t resolve the problem, you might need to do a clean install of Avast. The following video probably does a better job at explaining the procedure than what a typical article format allows for, so go ahead and check it out:
2nd Fix: Removing aswidsagenta.exe
To re-emphasize, removing aswidsagenta.exe is probably not needed if you’re also using Avast, a legitimate anti-virus software.
However, if you’re also getting suspicious-looking popups or other indicators that something fishy might be going on in your computer, removing it is probably the best course of action, since you’re more than likely dealing with a case of malware.
Note: this is a manual removal process. If you’re uncomfortable with it, you can also remove the malware with the help of most modern antivirus solutions.
- Open the Run window (the shortcut is pressing the Windows key + R key).
- In the input box that pops up on the screen, enter “control panel” and press ENTER or click OK.
- Find the “Programs” icon and click “Unininstall a program”.
- Now locate “aswidsagenta.exe”, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall”.
Now, all you need to do is to remove it from your browser.
- Chrome users: Launch Chrome, open up the menu, click “tools”, then “extension”. Locate the process, then click the trash can icon next to it.
- Firefox users: Launch Firefox, open “Add-ons”, locate the unwanted process and remove it by pressing the “Disable” or “Remove” button.
- Microsoft Edge users: Open up the homepage, then click “Settings”, under “Open with” select “A specific page or pages”, select “Custom” and enter your desired homepage.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as aswidsagenta.exe, mainly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the aswidsagenta.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.
Finally, scroll down to the end of this article to find out how you can remove it from the registry to clean up your PC completely. However, you should only attempt to perform this step if you consider yourself to be at least a semi-advanced kind of user.
