How to remove the istsvc virus

Most antivirus programs identify istsvc.exe as malware, for example Symantec identifies it as Adware.Istbar, and TrendMicro identifies it as TROJ_DLOADE.BQG.
The free file information forum can help you find out how to remove it. If you know more about this file, please leave a comment or a hint for other users.

Click to Run a Free Virus Scan for the istsvc.exe malware

Istsvc.exe file information

The process known as istsvc belongs to software ISTsvc or istsvc by unknown.

Description: istsvc.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" - usually c:\program files\istsvc\. Known file sizes on Windows 7/XP are 17,408 bytes (59% of all occurrences), 20,992 bytes and 8 more variants.
Istsvc.exe is a file without information about the developer of this file. Program starts upon Windows startup (see Registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run). Istsvc.exe is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. istsvc.exe is able to hide itself. Therefore the technical security rating is 69% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.
There is a possibility to uninstall the associated program (Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > ISTsvc).

Recommended: Identify istsvc.exe related errors

External information from Paul Collins:

"IST Service" definitely not required. ISTBar foistware

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as istsvc.exe, particularly when located in the c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Therefore, you should check the istsvc.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.

Score

User Comments

dangerous spyware/adware/trojan.
Hacker

Well I never really experienced that threat before but maybe this is a good method ~ go to task manager look for istsvc.exe then end process then go to start run type in msconfig then go to startup then uncheck the Spyware/Trojan/Virus then Apply settings then restart computer then go to Start type in regedit (I don't where the infected files are) look for the infected items then delete them... Then look for the infected files in C:\Program Files and look for the exe file that caused the infection... Use different methods of fighting this threat~~ Maybe try out Firefox and the add-ons
Oh Tricky Threat (further information)

it takes over your pc. go to your windows procces and keep deleating it, take a while for it to stop. then go to download.com and get drweb, superantispyware, IObit and that will help get rid of some of the crap it downloaded. nothing can kill it.
4evertools

After countless hours fighting this scumbag trojan this WORKED for me.
Sammy (further information)

Spyware
Alexey

This is so simple to remove. All you must do, for Windows XP users, download security task manager and end it's process. For more spyware removal tools
Mike (further information)

really really good
becciboo

i know it stuff ups msn messenger. the program kept coming on the desktop even after i deleted it
rach

More comments can be found here:
(further information)

Summary: Average user rating of istsvc.exe: based on 307 votes with 9 reviews.

13 users think istsvc.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 8 users think it's probably harmless. 24 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 78 users suspect danger. 184 users think istsvc.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 41 users doesn't grade istsvc.exe ("not sure about it").

Istsvc scanner

Security Task Manager shows all running Windows tasks including embedded hidden functions (e.g. keyboard or browser monitoring, autostart entry). A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, keylogger or a Trojan.

Spyware Doctor detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, malware and tracking threats from your hard disk. Ideal supplement to Security Task Manager.

SpeedUpMyPC scans, cleans, repairs and optimizes your computer.

Other processes