Potentially unwanted app found


Bengie

Member
Local time
2:47 PM
Posts
20
OS
Windows 11
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 ?

app.jpg
 
Windows Build/Version
21H2 Build 22000.527

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 10700k 10th gen
    Motherboard
    Asus Z490-A
    Memory
    32gb
    Sound Card
    Xonar D2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x HP 32s - 2 x NEC Multisync E224wi
    Hard Drives
    2 x internal Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVME
    PSU
    Antex 850w
    Cooling
    Air
    Internet Speed
    500gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Good plan from @Berton I would also use Malwarebytes as well
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
Done a full scan and say nothing - but the Potentially Unwanted App is still showing in App & Browser Control

app2.jpg

app3.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 10700k 10th gen
    Motherboard
    Asus Z490-A
    Memory
    32gb
    Sound Card
    Xonar D2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x HP 32s - 2 x NEC Multisync E224wi
    Hard Drives
    2 x internal Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVME
    PSU
    Antex 850w
    Cooling
    Air
    Internet Speed
    500gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
It could well be a wanted app, all AV's have a habit of saying that sort of thing from time to time
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 10700k 10th gen
    Motherboard
    Asus Z490-A
    Memory
    32gb
    Sound Card
    Xonar D2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x HP 32s - 2 x NEC Multisync E224wi
    Hard Drives
    2 x internal Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVME
    PSU
    Antex 850w
    Cooling
    Air
    Internet Speed
    500gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 10700k 10th gen
    Motherboard
    Asus Z490-A
    Memory
    32gb
    Sound Card
    Xonar D2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x HP 32s - 2 x NEC Multisync E224wi
    Hard Drives
    2 x internal Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVME
    PSU
    Antex 850w
    Cooling
    Air
    Internet Speed
    500gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
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.

Defender example.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.3155)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming B550-Plus
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 AORUS 8GB GDDR5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1920X11080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 500GB (OS)
    Samsung 980 NVMe 1TB (Games)
    Samsung 860 EVO 250GB
    Samsung 850 EVO 250GB (Music)
    PSU
    Super Flower / Leadex 750W 80Plus Titanium
    Cooling
    SilentiumPC Fortis 3 HE1425 v2
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech G700S
    Internet Speed
    50mbps/10mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I would check your installed apps and programs and see if there's anything there you don't recognize.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Myself, I wouldn't even worry about it
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware M18 R1
    CPU
    13th Gen Core i9 13900HX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 @4800MHz 2x16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Geforce RTX 4090HX 16GB
    Sound Card
    Nvidia HD / Realtek ALC3254
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18" QHD+
    Screen Resolution
    25660 X 1600
    Hard Drives
    C: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    D: KIOXIA (Toshiba) 2TB KXG80ZNV2T04 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
    Case
    Dark Metallic Moon
    Keyboard
    Alienware M Series per-key AlienFX RGB
    Mouse
    Alienware AW610M
    Browser
    Chrome and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Killer E3000 Ethernet Controller
    Killer Killer AX1690 Wi-Fi Network Adaptor Wi-Fi 6E
    Bluetooth 5.2
    Alienware Z01G Graphic Amplifier
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Area 51m R2
    CPU
    10th Gen i-9 10900 K
    Memory
    32Gb Dual Channel DDR4 @ 8843MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 2080 Super
    Sound Card
    Nvidia
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Hard Drive C: Samsung 2TB SSD PM981a NVMe
    Hard Drive D:Samsung 2TB SSD 970 EVO Plus
    Mouse
    Alienware 610M
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
You should be able to display what Defender found. Try running this in an elevated Powershell

Get-MpThreat

See also this MS document.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 10700k 10th gen
    Motherboard
    Asus Z490-A
    Memory
    32gb
    Sound Card
    Xonar D2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x HP 32s - 2 x NEC Multisync E224wi
    Hard Drives
    2 x internal Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVME
    PSU
    Antex 850w
    Cooling
    Air
    Internet Speed
    500gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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.

Example.jpg

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. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.3155)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming B550-Plus
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 AORUS 8GB GDDR5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1920X11080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 500GB (OS)
    Samsung 980 NVMe 1TB (Games)
    Samsung 860 EVO 250GB
    Samsung 850 EVO 250GB (Music)
    PSU
    Super Flower / Leadex 750W 80Plus Titanium
    Cooling
    SilentiumPC Fortis 3 HE1425 v2
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520
    Mouse
    Logitech G700S
    Internet Speed
    50mbps/10mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
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.

pup.jpg

Ben
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Elitebook 2530p
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo L9400@1.86 GHz
    Memory
    2 GB

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yes I wanted it gone but I would have loved to know what it was I was deleting.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 10700k 10th gen
    Motherboard
    Asus Z490-A
    Memory
    32gb
    Sound Card
    Xonar D2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 x HP 32s - 2 x NEC Multisync E224wi
    Hard Drives
    2 x internal Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVME
    PSU
    Antex 850w
    Cooling
    Air
    Internet Speed
    500gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

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