Windows defender false positive

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi

Have just installed Windows defender on my own PC and each of my two daughter’s.

One is an old PC with some virus infections in the past; the others are almost brand new Windows XP installs.

All 3 (machines are flagged up by Avast (5.0462) with just one file (msmpeng.exe), a Windows Defender process, as having 5 infections (with 5 different viruses) in memory. The Windows Defender folder is identified as not affected.

A scan with malwarebytes indicates no infection in memory.

2

Decrypted virus database in Defender’s memory…

3

i would drop windows defender!!!
u don’t need it, if u run avast. there should be only one! resident scanner…
greetz 2 ur daughters… :smiley:
asyn

4

Thanks for replies.

I suspected this might be the case. Just thought it would be useful for Avast to automatically whitelist this Defender process to avoid ‘scaring’ users.

As to use of Defender …
Windows Defender is anti spyware (not anti-virus) … my research suggests that a lot of people recommend using a realtime anti-spyware product along with anti-virus to act a second line of defence. Am I wrong?

5
Windows Defender is anti spyware (not anti-virus) .... my research suggests that a lot of people recommend using a realtime anti-spyware product along with anti-virus to act a second line of defence. Am I wrong?
No, i am using Malwarebytes PRO. a one time fee for a liftime license www.malwarebytes.org
6

most av have already spyware-definitions on board. (or r u talking bout malware?)
definitly u can use, whatever u want… just want 2 add that defender has one of the lowest!! dedection rates in different av/mw test. furthermore it tends 2 load its signatures into memory, wich often conflicts with other sec-progs, like eg. avast or slows ur system. but it’s up to you… :slight_smile:
i, for myself, would never use 2 resident scanners, as the danger of interfering each other is much too high, even malwarebytes antimalware had troubles with avast at start of 5.0. i only use antimalware on demand. but again, it’s up to you.
asyn

7

I run microsoft security essentials, which makes windows defender do more than just sit there. Basicly like a free version of onecare with no lag. when running Avast screen saver with memory check it always red flags windows defender/microsoft security essentials (microsoft security essentials disables Windows defender) I get used to it.
reason I keep both is because its fun to see which one sends an alarm first of problems, although its hell to remove a virus when both are fighting to remove it, but I feel safe