Windows 10: Windows Defender did not detect Malware

Hi --


MS phone support REALLY sucks!! The Spanish speaking latin rep just hung up! She was so adamant on repeating her answer and refused to listen to my situation.


Anyway. I ran Defender (Win 10) both full scan and offline. The app detected nothing. I had doubts that I had a serious keystroke detecting malware hidden. So then I downloaded the trial version of Malwarebytes and it detected three PUP.Optional.Spigot files. I don't think these are serious malware files but regardless, my question was why Defended did not detect these 3 files?


The rep first told me to contact Malwarebytes. Then she told me that when I ran Defender, my PC was probably not infected with the files. I tried to explain that I ran Malwarebytes immediately after Defender to be sure there was nothing and she told me that "both software will not work at the same time"?? I tried to explain to her that I wasn't running both at the same time, but first I ran Defender and then Malwarebytes - she then just hung up! Seriously, I wanted to just burn her face and rub it on HOT coal.. I wish MS tonnes of losses in 2019!


Anyone have any idea why Defender omitted these files? Two were Registry Key, and one was Mozilla file.


Thank you

:)

 

Windows Defender notification of malware detection

Hello,

Thank you for keeping us posted and we appreciate your continued patience on this issue.

At this point, I suggest you to update the Windows Defender program and check if it helps.

To check for new Windows Defender definitions manually:

• Open Windows Defender.
• Click the arrow next to the Help button, and then click Check for updates. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Also, check if the detection is of the same malware file or not. Again, see if it is any specific program or a file you try to access which triggers the detection.

Additionally, view the log in Event Viewer to check if the malware is removed every time it is prompted.

To open the Event Viewer. To do so, follow the below steps.

• Go to the Control Panel and choose to click on the
  Administrative Tools icon.
• The above action will open up a new window of the Administrative Tools where you will see the
  Event Viewer.
  

You can view Windows Defender "Operational" events in Event Viewer under Applications and Services Logs -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Windows Defender.

Kindly keep us posted, for us to be able to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Windows Defender Fails Malware Test

Microsoft’s very own antivirus software, Windows Live OneCare, was recently found to be failing Vista users, and now the same has been discovered for its free anti-spyware application. In tests carried out by Australian company Enex Testlab, Windows Defender struggled to detect just half of the malware which it was tested with, with the quick scan finding missing most of the malware and the full scan finding only 53.3%. It would be best to note that the test was financed by competing company PC Tools, which claims the test was unbiased, although the winning software (detecting 88.7% of malware) was PC Tools’ very own Spyware Doctor. Windows Defender was released as a final version in October 2006, so it is relatively new and of course (being free) costs less than Spyware Doctor.

Source: Techworld.com

 

Windows Defender notification of malware detection

Hello,

Thank you for posting your concern in Microsoft Community and welcome to the Windows 10 Family.

From the description provided, I understand that Windows Defender has identified an issue with malware infection.

To be able to assist you better, provide us a few more details on the below questions.

• Is Windows Defender able to remove the threat after it notifies you about the malware detection?
• Do you have any third party antivirus/firewall software installed which works along side Windows Defender?

As an in initial recommendation, I suggest you to run the
Microsoft Scanner to check if it helps to remove the malware infection, in any case if Windows Defender is unable to.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

Ref: Microsoft Safety Scanner

http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Write to us with the updated information. If you need further assistance, we would be happy to help you.

Thank you.