Windows 10: Virus and Threat Protection turned off by itself

System info:


Windows 10 Pro x64

Version 1909

Build 18363.720

Real-time antivirus: Avira Free Antivirus

On-demand scanner: Malwarebytes Free



Hello everybody,


Apologies for the long post, I just want to make sure I get all the details out


A couple of days ago the Virus and Threat Protection on my system turned off automatically, and I noticed it right away since I sitting at the computer. The alert in the notifications was something akin to "Real-time protection turned off". I wasn't browsing weird websites, clicking on links or installing anything at the time.


My real-time protection Avira free antivirus said it was still on. Also, at the time of the incident I was running a manual full scan with Malwarebytes, which is my on-demand scanner I run it once a week. When I clicked on the flag notification to bring up Windows Security the interface was blank and looked broken. I let my scan with Malwarebytes finish and it found nothing. Also, overnight I had just done a full scan with Avira and it also found nothing.


I restarted my PC. After Windows finished loading, Windows Security asked me to manually restart Defender if I remember correctly, I had to hit restart on two things. And then everything looked normal. The only other thing I noticed was that a file named msmpeng.exe asked for permission through my firewall I have Windows Firewall Control WFC which lets me allow or block apps trying to make a connection. WFC said it was signed by Microsoft and a little bit of googling revealed that it was related to Defender, so I allowed it.


Afterwards, thinking that some type of software conflict occurred, I uninstalled both Avira and Malwarebytes, and reinstalled Malwarebytes. Then I completed a few scans to be on the safe side:


1 I scanned my C drive with Malwarebytes in Safe Mode

2 I used the Windows Defender Offline scan

3 I did a full scan with Malwarebytes normal mode

4 I did a full scan with Windows Defender normal mode


None of the scans found anything.


So, my question is, should I just assume something buggy happened with Windows Defender and it had to be restarted, or are there other things I should check/tools I should use to verify that nothing malicious occurred? I know that there are other posts similar to this with different recommendations, but I also don't want to overdo it if I don't have to i.e. potentially make things worse.


Thank you for reading this far and for any help/suggestions you may have. Feel free to ask any questions, get more details or have me repeat any of the things I've already done.


Thanks!


Erik

:)

 

Virus and Threat protection

NOTICE: After, installing 1909 update, Windows Defender, Virus and Threat protection, is / was "OFF". IS this common? Is this a bug? NO MESSAGE appeared in my Notification Area.. ONLY, by chance, did I notice, and turn it back on. I'd suggest.. AT
ALL TIMES.. 'WHENEVER' MY virus protection is turned off.. BY DEFAULT... I 'SHOULD' BE NOTIFIED! YOUR thoughts on this?

 

Virus threat protection

Hi Valentin

As an alternative approach, you can allow that utility through the Controlled Folder Access section of WIndows 10 security . . .

Open Windows Defender Security Center

Go to Virus & threat protection - Virus & threat protection settings

Scroll down to Controlled folder access

From there, you can add Dell Data Vault to the list of safe or allowed apps to prevent it from being blocked

Please do not leave Controlled Folder Access turned off permanently

 

Cannot turn on virus and threat protection

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