i got home today to find a security warning asking me if i want to run "userint32.exe", an Application in C:/WINDOWS, from an Unknown Publisher. should i run and what is this file?

sorry, it's "userint.exe" with one i. my bad.

It's malware for sure.

I suggest you proceed as follows:

Go to our downloads section, and download Hijack This.

Unzip, doubleclick HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".

When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save Log" button.
Press that, and save the log somewhere.

NOTE: Most of what Hijack This lists will be harmless or even required, so do NOT fix anything yet.

Next, go to the Hijackthis - Spyware, Viruses, Worms, Trojans section of this board.

Press "New Topic", explain your problem, and copy and paste the contents of the Hijack This log into your new message.

Someone will be happy to help.

Cheers,

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Tony CLSID List