Hello,

I am running Windows 98SE and was recently alerted by my firewall that a file/program titled gpemdzko.exe was trying to connect to the internet. This application is located in the Windows/System file and cannot be viewed unless the view is changed to show hidden files. When right clicking on the file, no version is listed or that it is from Microsoft. Also, I checked and the file/program is loading upon startup. I have NO idea what this file is and internet searches of the "gpemdzko" name have proved futile. I have been having a few slow issues with my internet connection. What I am wondering is if this gpemdzko.exe is bad news, can I delete it, or just what the heck it is! Thanks so much in advance.You're right, GOOGLE gives nothing on it.
I think you're down to 3 choices.

1, Let it access the net, not a good idea.
2, Delete the file & startup entry, but then you will never know what it was.
3, Do some scans & see what turns up, that would be my choice.

Online Virus Scan and Spyware Scan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm

Highly recommended second Online MALWARE Scan
http://www.ewido.net/en/Well, I have CA's ETrust Internet Security Suite and the Virus Scan along with the Spyware Scan did not detect the file however the firewall did. I also have the Ad-Aware SE program and it did not pick it up EITHER. It is so STRANGE...I just NOTICED you're on 98. Ewido won't work for you.
I'd run some extra scans anyway just out of curiosity, there are plenty of free ones out there, maybe A squared.
At least try the Panda one, are your own scanners fully updated?

[highlight]Edit[/highlight] A single file in your system directory with a funny looking name that starts by itself and tries to access the internet has got to be suspect.Thanks so far for the help - I ran the Panda scan and it did not pick up the particular file in question so I've obviously disabled the file from loading at startup and from connecting to the internet. I think I shall make a copy on a disc or something and just delete the file.

My next question is WRT to Panda, it picked up two spyware infections that I have not seen before with my other programs: one was in a downloaded programs folder and it claimed the other was in the registry. When I looked and searched for the two spyware infections listed - I could find neither in the registry or the downloaded folder. Any idea what's up with that/Panda?