Osqueryd.exe: What Is osqueryd.exe and Should I Remove It?
Written by: Stelian Pilici
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If you have ever looked at the processes running on your Windows system, you might have noticed a process called osqueryd.exe. You might have wondered what this process is, what it does, and whether it is safe or not. In this blog post, we will answer these questions and explain everything you need to know about osqueryd.exe.
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What is osqueryd.exe?
Osqueryd.exe is a process that belongs to a software called osquery. Osquery is an open-source tool that allows you to query your system for various information, such as hardware, software, network, security, performance, and more. Osquery uses SQL-like syntax to query your system, and it can run on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Osquery was originally developed by Facebook as an internal tool to monitor their infrastructure and detect anomalies. Later, Facebook released osquery as an open-source project and created the osquery Foundation to support its development and adoption. Osquery is now used by many organizations and individuals for various purposes, such as endpoint security, compliance auditing, incident response, threat hunting, and more.
Osqueryd.exe is the daemon (or service) process of osquery that runs in the background and collects data from your system. Osqueryd.exe can also receive queries from a remote server and send back the results. This allows you to manage and monitor multiple systems using osquery from a central location.
Should I Remove osqueryd.exe?
Osqueryd.exe is not a virus or malware, but a legitimate process that belongs to osquery. However, this does not mean that you should keep it on your system if you don’t need it or want it.
Osqueryd.exe can consume some CPU and memory resources, especially if it runs frequent or complex queries on your system. Osqueryd.exe can also pose some privacy and security risks if it is configured to send data to an untrusted or malicious server. Moreover, osqueryd.exe can be abused by hackers or attackers who can use it to gather information about your system or execute commands on it.
Therefore, if you don’t use osquery or don’t know why it is installed on your system, you might want to remove it or disable it. To do so, you can follow these steps:
Open the Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
Find osquery in the list of installed programs and click on Uninstall.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the uninstallation process.
Restart your system to make sure that osqueryd.exe is no longer running.
Alternatively, you can also use a third-party tool like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller to remove osquery and all its traces from your system.
Conclusion
Osqueryd.exe is a process that belongs to osquery, an open-source tool that allows you to query your system for various information. Osqueryd.exe is not a virus or malware, but a legitimate process that runs in the background and collects data from your system. However, if you don’t use osquery or don’t know why it is installed on your system, you might want to remove it or disable it to save resources and avoid potential privacy and security risks.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
