Is Microsoft Security Essentials a virus?

Question

I've been attacked by a similarly named virus several times and successfully removed it. I'm really scared because I've read somewhere that this one installs itself as the computer updates. I'm running Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware running in hopes to catch it. Please help!

Answer 1

^^^ What?

"Its not a virus. Its the virus trying to trick you into thinking it is."



What the heck does that even mean?



-------------------------------------------------------------------------



Anyhow, there is a rogue version of Microsoft Security Essentials, and if you've removed it successfully *several times* - then you're not removing it successfully ;-)

You need to figure out why you keep getting it back.



Is it a brand new infection that you keep getting with a time-lapse in between "successful" removals. or does it come back right away?



IF IT COMES BACK RIGHT AWAY..... that means that it got into your restore files and it keeps restoring itself.



So you're going to need to turn off your system restore, KILL THE PROCESS, remove the infection, restart your system, and turn system restore back on again.



> How to turn system restore off and on: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=31668



Now MBAM is the right program for removing the rogue, but to be successful you're going to have to kill the process by running RKill, then running MBAM.



Follow these directions carefully.



> How to remove the fake version of MSE: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-fake-microsoft-security-essentials-alert



Edit:

Windows optional updates?

I have my updates configured to alert me when updates are available so that I can see what they are first, and download and install them when I want to.

But I don't believe I've ever seen an MSE update listed as optional; only as important.



Just to be sure, instead of waiting for Windows to update, how about updating manually and seeing if the update is there.

If it is there under Optional Updates, click on it for information.



My guess is that if it's coming in via Windows Update, that it is legit.

I can't imagine a rogue malware compromising Windows Update.



EDIT 2:

How can you people justify making a blanket statement that "Microsoft Security Essentials" is a legitimate program without mentioning that there is a copycat out there?



If someone is having problems and they specifically ask about "Microsoft Security Essentials", I think it's important that they know that there is indeed a rogue using the same name.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

No, it is security software for your computer. It was built by Microsoft for Microsoft computers. It is updated daily and runs quietly in the background. It doesn't use much bandwidth and has been proven to be very reliable and secure.



This program works for most people. If you like to visit unsecure sites or MSE isn't doing the job, then I suggest Malwarebytes, the paid version. If you decide to go this route, remove any other anti virus programs that you are using. They may conflict with each other.

Answer 4

Its not a virus. Its the virus trying to trick you into thinking it is. Continue scanning with Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware and remove anything that comes up.

Answer 5

Microsoft Essentials is an anti-virus program. You download it from the Microsoft website. Its free and probably the only thing you need.