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Windows Defender - Be Careful Running Alongside Other Anti-Spyware Tools

SUMMARY: Windows Defender may record false alarms if used with other anti-spyware tools.

Windows Defender, like other anti-spyware software, is not perfect and may record false alarms. This is especially true if you also run other anti-spyware software, such as SpywareBlaster or Spybot Search and Destroy that help protect your computer from ever downloading spyware and adware in the first place.

For example; one time I ran the older version of Windows Defender (Microsoft AntiSpyware) and it claimed my system was infected with SearchSquire - a type of adware. It noted two entries in the registry. However, the noted registry entries were put there by another piece of anti-spyware software to help prevent me from ever accessing SearchSquire's domain. Thus, removing this registry key could actually expose me to the threat from which it was trying to protect me!

Always use caution when deleting entries found with this and other anti-spyware tools. After running Windows Defender, you may wish to rerun SpywareBlaster or SpyBot Search & Destroy to re-inoculate your system.