Is windows defender a virus?

Question

Today all of sudden I was bombarded with viruses. Multiple programs popped up saying I had viruses but I don't recall installing them. One of these programs comes with my computer but it only scans not delete. So now I created a new account on my computer which can access the internet(my virus infected account cannot because it says the websites im trying to access is harmful to my computer -- i.e yahoo, google, etc) Now i installed microsoft security essentials and deleted a trojan virus but all of a sudden this windows defender thing pops up saying it's been inactivated. I'm not sure if this is the trojan or not? I have windows 7 dell laptop 64 bit. Anyone have a clue? I deleted mcafee that came with the computer also b/c microsoft security essentials said that I needed to uninstall other virus protection software.

Answer 1

You have one of the rogue spyware bugs like system tool or system shield. Pay attention to the name because some are easier to remove than others. First thing to do is reboot, hit the F8 key and get into safe mode with networking. then install malwarebytes, update and do a scan. reboot and see if the bug is gone. If its not, you need to get back to safe mode with networking, install rkill, run it, do the malwarebytes again and reboot. that should get it. let us know



Windows Defender is antimalware protection along with your antivirus. It differs from apps like the above in that the apps above are tools for removing an infection. Defender and the antivirus protect you from infections.

Answer 2

Windows Defender 2010 is a fake anti-virus application that shouldn't be confused with Windows Defender from Microsoft. As usual, cyber-thieves use graphics, colors, icons and other elements of well known and reputable software to make the fake one look more legitimate. For example, Windows Defender 2010 main logo is a combination of official Microsoft colors and security shield icon.

Windows Defender, formerly known as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a software product from Microsoft to prevent, remove, and quarantine spyware in Microsoft Windows. It is included and enabled by default in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

To know if Windows defender 2010 is been installed on your computer go to Star>Run> regedit when search for the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Windows Defender 2010 .

If this key exists then follow these instructions: http://www.spywarevoid.com/remove-windows-defender-2010-windowsdefender-2010-removal-help.html

Answer 3

Any AV program that asks you to buy them before they delete the "viruses" they find is a variant of a Fake AV malware.



These malwares try to trick users into thinking their systems have been compromised by made-up viruses to try to coax users into buying their product.



Buying their product will not delete the viruses it finds because it's fake. Plus you also lose money and give your credit card details to them.



Get a decent AV product (e.g. McAfee, Trend Micro, Kaspersky, Norton) to clean your system.

Answer 4

The place to go is to "Microsoft.com" to find if Microsoft does create this product, if that product is created by Microsoft then get it from a Microsoft approved source to avoid the difficulty of counterfeit products. Those people are often considered to be the experts about the Microsoft-Products.

Answer 5

No. It is just the opposite, it helps find malicious programs in your computer. If possible, try to reactivate it and let is search your computer. It may find more infected files.



Good luck!

Answer 6

download and run malwarebytes. It's free and excellent at detecting and removing malicious programs.



http://www.malwarebytes.org/



Be safe. Download it, install it, and run it.