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Windows Secrets > LangaList Plus > Is it a simple software error — or malware?

Is it a simple software error — or malware?

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Fred Langa
By Fred Langa on November 27, 2014 in LangaList Plus

The causes of anti-malware failure range from minor system errors to raging, full-blown infections. Here’s how to safely sort things out.

Plus: Security concerns about bypassing Windows’ UAC, a reliable DVD drive suddenly dies, and a free DOS-emulator helps you run very old apps and games.

Anti-malware tool vanishes, can’t be reinstalled

Reader Bill experienced problems with multiple anti-malware tools.

  • “Fred, I have a problem that is starting to scare me, and I thought you might give me some common-sense advice.

    “I keep my Win7 Pro system fully backed up and updated. Sometime within the past month or so, my installation of Microsoft Security Essentials [MSE] disappeared. I downloaded a new copy of MSE and attempted to install it, but received a useless error message each time.

    “I then downloaded and tried AVG, Ad-Aware, Kaspersky, Avira, and several others. Not one of them would install, and they all gave different error messages.

    “I resorted to using on-line AV scans, but doing that on a daily basis is ultimately a losing effort. I have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium installed, and it works fine.

    “None of the suggestions in Microsoft forums has worked, though I’ve found only a few posts describing problems similar to mine.”



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All Windows Secrets articles posted on 2014-11-27:

  • Introduction A remote Windows Secrets Thanksgiving
  • Top Story Help for picking your next anti-malware tool
  • Lounge Life When your problem turns out to be a known issue
  • Wacky Web Week Slightly skewed — but true — American history
  • LangaList Plus Is it a simple software error — or malware?
  • Patch Watch Cleaning up a rough PC-patching month
  •  Show all articles on a single page
Fred Langa

About Fred Langa

Fred Langa is senior editor. His LangaList Newsletter merged with Windows Secrets on Nov. 16, 2006. Prior to that, Fred was editor of Byte Magazine (1987 to 1991) and editorial director of CMP Media (1991 to 1996), overseeing Windows Magazine and others.
View all posts by Fred Langa →
The Complete LangaList Plus 2014, Part 2

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Trademarks: Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. The Windows Secrets series of books is published by Wiley Publishing Inc. The Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, WinFind, Windows Gizmos, Security Baseline, Patch Watch, Perimeter Scan, Wacky Web Week, the Logo Design (W, S or road, and Star), and the slogan Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention all are trademarks and service marks of iNET Interactive. All other marks are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
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