Potentially unwanted app found

Bengie · Feb 21, 2022

I have the attached in Defender, but it doesn't say what the app is. If you click on it it opens the
"Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device".
Well I don't know unless I know what it is.

Any ideas how to see what it is please ?

Berton · Feb 21, 2022

I'd run a full/deep scan with WIndows Security, if things are found usually will be an arrow that will all revealing what the infection is and what file it's in, the Ask toolbar is famous for that but there's a lot of others.

The-Hive · Feb 21, 2022

Good plan from @Berton I would also use Malwarebytes as well

Bengie · Feb 21, 2022

Done a full scan and say nothing - but the Potentially Unwanted App is still showing in App & Browser Control

The-Hive · Feb 21, 2022

It could well be a wanted app, all AV's have a habit of saying that sort of thing from time to time

Bengie · Feb 21, 2022

But all I want to know is what is this 'potentially unwanted app'.

Malwarebytes will just do another scan and show nothing as Defender has.

Bengie · Feb 21, 2022

The-Hive said:
It could well be a wanted app, all AV's have a habit of saying that sort of thing from time to time

The annoying thing is how do we know if it's wanted or not, it's not showing what it is.

The-Hive · Feb 21, 2022

It is an app that you may or may not want or may or may not be needed by windows, some AV's will even flag up apps you haven't used in a long while. It doesn't mean it is a virus or Malware. If you are worried create an image and then in worst case scenario you have something to fall back on

Superfly · Feb 21, 2022

Bengie said:
The annoying thing is how do we know if it's wanted or not, it's not showing what it is.

The false positivity rate in WD is pretty high - that it does not even give the app name is pretty pathetic.

I gave up on WD a while ago when it flagged the apps I was developing as PUP - so I could not even do proper testing.

Just use Kaspersky it's far better.

Nobody · Feb 21, 2022

Bengie said:
I have the attached in Defender, but it doesn't say what the app is. If you click on it it opens the
"Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device".
Well I don't know unless I know what it is.

Any ideas how to see what it is please ?

View attachment 22557

You can allow it, that question is about Defender. You will then see more information about the program and can decide whether to allow it or
Example. Edit: Translation. In the example, a potentially unwanted app has been removed and I can allow it.

RFS · Feb 21, 2022

I would check your installed apps and programs and see if there's anything there you don't recognize.

The-Hive · Feb 21, 2022

Myself, I wouldn't even worry about it

Winuser · Feb 21, 2022

Bengie said:
Done a full scan and say nothing - but the Potentially Unwanted App is still showing in App & Browser Control

View attachment 22559

View attachment 22561

That's because it's an App. I don't how a program is determined to be a PUP. Have you looked in Task Manager to see if the program is listed?

RFS · Feb 21, 2022

You should be able to display what Defender found. Try running this in an elevated Powershell

Get-MpThreat

See also this MS document.

Bengie · Feb 21, 2022

I'm not worried about it and I keep an OS backup, made when first clean install of Windows and Office
so no worries about any virus, in fact because of the OS backup I would probably click on a virus to see
what it did knowing I could sanitize C: and start afresh.

As for Kaspersky, Russian spyware, I would never trust anything from Russia or China.

It's a shame it doesn't tell you what it is, It's just like someone shouting 'look out' but not saying where or what

Nobody · Feb 21, 2022

Bengie said:
I'm not worried about it and I keep an OS backup, made when first clean install of Windows and Office
so no worries about any virus, in fact because of the OS backup I would probably click on a virus to see
what it did knowing I could sanitize C: and start afresh.

As for Kaspersky, Russian spyware, I would never trust anything from Russia or China.

It's a shame it doesn't tell you what it is, It's just like someone shouting 'look out' but not saying where or what

All you have to do is allow the defender to make changes. Or you can use the command mentioned by RFS.
When you allow changes, you are not allowing changes to the Pup could do.

Example using that command which RFS mentioned. If you use the command, you do not need to specifically allow changes.

If you still have doubts or have a different than my example, you can take a screenshot of the window asking for permission to make changes. The picture says more than just words. :)

Haydon · Feb 21, 2022

I find it strange that you got the warning only. Were you not directed to use Microsoft Safety Scanner or to some other follow up? Make sure that you are connected to the Internet when working with Windows Security because it is cloud-assisted.

Ben Myers · Feb 21, 2022

Bengie said:
It's a shame it doesn't tell you what it is, It's just like someone shouting 'look out' but not saying where or what

Actually, it will probably do just that when you click "OK". Here is what I see after clicking "OK" in a similar situation.

Ben

Winuser · Feb 21, 2022

A little info about what a PUP is. What Is a PUP and How to Remove Potentially Unwanted Programs

Bengie · Feb 22, 2022

Yes I wanted it gone but I would have loved to know what it was I was deleting.

Potentially unwanted app found

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