Malware on device- weird services

Question

Hello, I am worried I might have malware on my device as I have some programs that a running on the background and I am not sure what they are. I have an Acer swift 14 laptop and the services are AICI AC2s.exe, AICO parallax wallpaper and AICO services. I was reading online and one page said it could be RAT but I’m not sure how that could’ve happened as I am careful with what I download and th only thing I downloaded din the last week was earlier today which was FRST, which I later deleted. Do I have malware on my laptop ? Do I need to change my passwords and redownload windows ? I have checked where it is and it is in system 32 under the Acer file however I’m pretty sure the Acer file and anything else is meat to be under programmes or program86 not in system 32

Answer 1

Hi diamond board,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand that it can seem a little bit worrying when unfamiliar processes are running in the background. While the Q&A Assist has outlined some cautious steps you can take, I’d also like to reassure you that there’s no need to be overly alarmed at this stage yet.

Now, based on what you described and my experience with Acer systems, this does not indicate malware. AICO / AICI / AC2s.exe / Parallax Wallpaper are all Acer OEM components, commonly preinstalled on Acer laptops:

1. They are part of Acer’s customization and background experience features (wallpaper effects, device integration, system services).
2. OEM services are not required to live under Program Files, so their location in System32 or related subfolders are common, not suspicious.
3. Acer users have reported these service names before, and they are at most considered OEM bloatware, not malware.

Generic malware databases sometimes flag unknown OEM executables simply because they are uncommon, not because they are malicious. They are located in Acer folders and signed by Acer, meaning they’re not surprise attackers.

So based on what you’ve described: No, you don’t need to reset Windows or change passwords. You only need to take those steps if Microsoft Defender detects malware. If the scan is clean and the files are under Acer folders, your system is safe.

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Answer 2

Those specific process names are not covered in the available information, so it is not possible to confirm whether they are legitimate or malicious. However, there are clear steps that can be taken to check for malware and respond safely without immediately reinstalling Windows.

1. Run a full malware scan

• Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
• Select Scan options → Full scan and let it complete.
• If anything is detected, follow the removal/quarantine instructions.
• If you still suspect infection afterward, run Microsoft Defender Offline for a deeper scan. For more about that see Help protect my PC with Microsoft Defender Offline.

2. Look for symptoms of malware Compare what you see on the device with common malware symptoms:

• PC unusually slow, crashing, or freezing.
• Significant battery drain or high resource usage when idle.
• Unexpected pop‑ups, redirects in the browser, or changed home page.
• Inability to open security sites or run antivirus tools. If these match what is happening, treat the system as potentially infected and continue with the cleanup steps below.

3. Remove unwanted or suspicious software

• Go to Settings → Apps → Apps & features (or Add or Remove Programs on older Windows).
• Uninstall software that is not recognized or not needed, especially anything installed around the time the issue started.
• Be cautious: some unfamiliar names can be legitimate drivers or OEM tools.

4. Deep-clean if unwanted software persists If suspicious behavior continues after a full Defender scan and app cleanup:

• Get the latest security intelligence in Windows Security, then run another full scan.
• Perform an offline scan with Microsoft Defender Offline.
• If specific files are suspected but not detected, they can be submitted to Microsoft for analysis using the submission portal referenced in the context.

5. When to change passwords Change passwords if any of the following are true:

• Malware is confirmed on the device.
• There are signs of account compromise (unexpected sign‑ins, password reset emails, etc.).
• Sensitive accounts (email, banking, social media) were used while the device might have been infected. Do the password changes from a device that is known or strongly believed to be clean.

6. When to consider reinstalling Windows A full reset or reinstall is usually a last step, used when:

• Malware or unwanted software cannot be removed.
• Core Windows features or security tools are broken and cannot be repaired.
• System behavior remains unstable after scans and cleanup. Before doing that, back up important files to a location you trust.

7. How infection can happen even if careful Even careful users can get malware via:

• Malicious email attachments or links.
• Infected removable drives (USB sticks, external drives).
• Software bundled with unwanted or malicious components from third‑party sites.
• Deceptive software that looks useful but is actually malicious. Review recent downloads, email attachments, and any USB devices used in the last days or weeks.

If the full Defender scan and an offline scan both come back clean and there are no strong malware symptoms (no pop‑ups, redirects, blocked security tools, or unexplained slowdowns), a full Windows reinstall is usually not necessary. Continue to monitor the system and keep Windows and security definitions up to date.

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References:

• How to start a scan for viruses or malware in Microsoft Defender
• Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses
• How malware can infect your PC
• Protect your PC from unwanted software
• Protect your PC from ransomware
• Protect yourself from online scams and attacks