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myLot reputation of 99/100. lagirl1966 (200)   ranked 388 out of 5,013 in computer 12 months ago

Hi. I have a strange problem. My son and I both have our own user names on our computer. He was online last night and I think, he downloaded some antivirus software called Windows defender. But I think it is a scam. I have tried to get rid of it, but there isn't any option to uninstall it. So I contacted them. Still waiting to hear back. I have a feeling that this is a scam because the email that appeared in my inbox was from gmail. It is on my bar at the bottom of the computer with little icons and I found it in my c drive and deleted it, but it keeps popping up every few seconds asking to download it for a fee. Any ideas how to get rid of this?? Thanks

 

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tags:  computer, antivirus software, hardware, internet, laptop
 
1. myLot reputation of 86/100. yzedxw (142)   ranked 2,850 out of 5,013 in computer   12 months ago

No windows defender is windows defender.I am not sure if it is antivirus but it protect your PC and he didn't download it because it is already in windows.What is your windows?XP or Vista? It is not antivirus and it is not protect you against viruses but it can helps to protect your computer against spyware and software what can slow down your computer.And as I said your son didn't download it because it is already in windows so maybe he only turned it on.So he made good:) keep windows defender on it is really good program .but keep your antivirus on too!!


myLot reputation of 99/100. lagirl1966 (200)   ranked 388 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

I have Windows XP. It is already in windows? How to do I stop it from popping up all the time? Will eventually just stop? Do you know how to turn it on/off? Are you sure it isn't a scam? It has never popped up before. Maybe he did turn it on. Thanks


myLot reputation of 86/100. yzedxw (142)   ranked 2,850 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

I am really sure it is not a scam ..Try to put windows defender in google and you will see.Yes it is in windows and it helps you protect you from spyware and programs what can slow down your computer.Just have a look in google and you will see.and if you want to stop it (I don't recommend it) you have to try few things.Because I am not sure now!I haven't got it in my windows XP so maybe your son really downloaded it so go into that programs and uninstall it.But I have it on my Vista and it is inside my windows so if I want to stop it I must go to the control panel and security.So try both and you will see.


myLot reputation of 95/100. jwfarrimond (2620)   ranked 64 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

Yzedxw is correct. This is a Microsoft anti - spyware program. I have it on my computer and I have not had any problems with it. On the contrary, I have found that it will find and get rid of malware that my anti virus either did not detect, or failed to remove. It should not "pop up" all the time. You probably have it on automatic scan. Setting it to manual scan only, will solve that problem.

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2. myLot reputation of 81/100. kumarpslv (1735)   ranked 15 out of 5,013 in computer   12 months ago

To delete any of the unwanted program try any one of the or all of the stemp.

1.This is for genuine software, and they will be having the uninstalling option.In you case this is not available.

2. Go to the add or remove program and select the particular program and try to remove it.(Start---->settings---->control panel--->add or remove programs)


3. Go to the program folder of the C drive and select the concerned folder adn delete. If you get the message of "Can not be deteled as the program used by another person or process", follow the nest step /

4.Go the taks manager (Control+Alt+Delete).Select the 'process' tab. Here you select the process running corresponding to the program, and end it now.

5.Even after if you are not able to delete, go to the command prompt, and look for the folder,whetehr it is hiden,write protected,or archived..Remove the parameter.But this will need the knowledge in commond prompt commands.


myLot reputation of 99/100. lagirl1966 (200)   ranked 388 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

Thankyou. I will try that. I hope it works!

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3. nikhilbhatia163 (38)   ranked 3,515 out of 5,013 in computer   12 months ago

To get rid of it, just logon to your sons account and uninstall it for his side as it is being instaled from his a/c. If uninstall doesn't appear go to Contol Panel -> Add remove Programs. It will display u the list of the sotwares installed in your system. Just find the that software there and click Remove/Change and uninstall it.

f you manually delted the files and its showing the error that its unable to uninstall the justinstall it again form his a/c the SAME-WAY he installed it and then againg try uninstall. It probably works manytimes....

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4. othmansuseno (10)   12 months ago

I think it's a virus, i know that windows defender is a windows component that protect your computer but it never asked to download it with a "fee" you got it free from microsoft ... maybe you should confirm with microsoft if your using a legit copy of windows, they should give you the support.

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5. myLot reputation of 84/100. hiccup (6919)   ranked 9 out of 5,013 in computer   12 months ago

OOOPS, I know how you feel I in the last few weeks downloaded IE8,(Internet Explorer 8) and its crap, so care is needed there.

What you might like to do is to back date your PC a few days, its easy to do.

Restoring your System.

Click Start, All Programs, All Excess, System Tools, System Restore.

You have a choice to set a date to go back to, but remember you will loose a few things in that time, I went back five days, all came OK again.


HICCUP/


myLot reputation of 95/100. jwfarrimond (2620)   ranked 64 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

I've not bothered to download IE8 and I don't think that I well do now. At least, not until they've got the bugs out of it.

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6. myLot reputation of 73/100. abhichat1980 (225)   12 months ago

For sure this something malicious. Get rid of it ASAP. If you cannot uninstall it from the control panel maybe it is because you are not logged into your son's account. Try to uninstall it from his account if that does not work try running an anti virus and a spy ware trace program. It should be able to detect it.

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7. seow227 (30)   12 months ago

maybe you can login with the administrator account

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8. Lucius_Seneca (43)   12 months ago

Well I think u can try avast.Go to www.avast.com.This is an antivirus software free for downloading.It works well in my computer.Insatll avast then have a scan.Hoping that could solve ur problem and get rid of the so called Windows defender


myLot reputation of 75/100. prowaynie (104)  12 months ago

im currently using avast to ...it good to use on it...

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9. myLot reputation of 86/100. puddytat101 (529)   ranked 3,381 out of 5,013 in computer   12 months ago

Hi lagirl1966,

This is a great topic because the very same thing has happened to me. At first, I didn't even notice it on there. Usually this is a bad sign. Any software that is legit will let you know when you are intentionally downloading their software. It should not come as a surprise.

Have you used your anti-virus software to scan your entire hard drive with maximum strength? I use Avanquest and it shows no threats, yet I cannot seem to remove the icon in the tool tray either. It did, however, find 2 trojan worms after the defender icon was present. They were embedded in a couple of songs that I downloaded from limewire. Now, those same songs have been on my computer for months. I scan for viruses weekly. Up until the new icon appeared, those trojans did not show up in my virus scanner. Conclusion: Either my well trusted virus scanner has failed me or windows defender is legit. Either way, my computer has been running much better with all things combined.

If you are experiencing slower computer times or other strange "surprises" on your computer as of recently, then it's time to take serious action. Good luck to you!

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10. myLot reputation of 91/100. prajnith (445)   ranked 1,340 out of 5,013 in computer   12 months ago

If its genuine windows defender just launch task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and check for process named MSASCui.exe, if this process exist then its windows defender else its some others fraud software with similar name.. also check in control panel if there is any Gray Wall icon with name Windows Defender and also type msconfig in run menu found on start menu(Win+R)and hit enter and in startup tab check for any process named Windows Defenser. And since your os is WinXp you can remove Microsoft Windows Defender From Add/Remove Programs in control pannel..
you also mentioned that you deleted the Win defender folder directly so i recommend you try to install the software over existing installation and then if you don't like the Software remove it but incase if you don't have any antivirus you better donot remove it or install any good antivirus software ..

there is antivirus avira which is available for free..


myLot reputation of 99/100. lagirl1966 (200)   ranked 388 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. The defender is gone. I downloaded Norton and it detected a trojan. I think it was the defender. So it is gone now. I didn't have any antivirus software before, and now I know why. When I downloaded Norton the computer got so slow it wasnt even funny. I mean waiting up to an hour slow. So I had to remove it. I don't have much ram to keep antivirus in there. It would have to be a very small package. Does anyone have any suggestions about software I could download?? That is super small? I know I need a new computer cause this one is so old. My computer guy enlarged my ram last time he worked on it and he said to me yesterday, I need a new computer. Well, I don't have the money for one so I will have to stick with this one for a while. Thanks alot.


myLot reputation of 91/100. prajnith (445)   ranked 1,340 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

well i dont know what is the total amount of ram you are having in your system but i recommend norton 2009, i myself was shocked by its performance,it takes about 4 mb ram in idle mode and less than 15 mb ram while scanning and it pretty fast when compared to previous releases you can download from link below

http://spftrl2.digitalriv...>

you will get 3 month free subscription . and if you have 512 Mb ram this will run fine.

if you have lesser amount of ram i would recommend avira and its free,download from link below

http://download.cnet.com/...>

you will get a message that"your download will begin in a moment,if it doesn't click here to try again".. just click on the click here link..

avira is around 25 mb and Norton 2009 is around 90 Mb

Hope this post was helpfull.
have a nice day. take care.. happy


myLot reputation of 99/100. lagirl1966 (200)   ranked 388 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

Well, I only have about 128 mb of ram. So it isn't very much. I definetly need a new computer. This one is way old. Is this antivirus site good? I mean it won't do any more damage to my computer will it? Right now, I really don't know what to do.
Thanks for the advice


myLot reputation of 91/100. prajnith (445)   ranked 1,340 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

Well 128Mb ram is very low even for Windows xp, avira antivirus needs at least 192 mb ram if your are using Windows XP. may be you should consider upgrading ram at least to 256Mb . you can try using avira on your current system but your will notice system performance degrade . so you can either upgrade your system ram to 256 Mb or else you can install windows 2000 and then install avira , windows 2000 will run fine with 128 Mb ram .


myLot reputation of 91/100. prajnith (445)   ranked 1,340 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

If you do not want to install antivirus software at all then you can perform online virus scan but this online scan will consume bit of you Internet bandwidth so if you have limited Internet bandwidth make sure you have enough free bandwidth remaining before beginning with the scan process.
just visit any of links below to perform online virus scanhttp://security.symantec.... you visit the above website you might be asked to download small software and run it or install addon's just follow the procedure mentioned on the screen.


myLot reputation of 91/100. prajnith (445)   ranked 1,340 out of 5,013 in computer  12 months ago

the online virus scanning links are

http://security.symantec.com>

http://shop.trendmicro.com/trialpay/>

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html>

my previous post was not proper so i posted the links again.

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