BleepingComputer.com: Unknown A/V programs after reinstall

I take it back. I just logged onto an XP system and all of those keys (and more) appear. They are harmless, but they are there by default so you should not worry about them. But if you wish to delete them there's certainly no harm in doing so - just backup the registry first.

FWIW: Windows always installs a certain number of default keys...which may never be used on that system. I don't find it worth worrying over.

Louis

Which is what I believe I said

Still, I have to admit I'd never been aware of these before - very interesting.

Allan, on 28 July 2011 - 09:12 AM, said:

Thanks guys -
I had never seen them all appear in a OTL scan, so I just asked the basic question first -
No problems about it, and I agree it is very interesting -Shows you learn something every day -
Regards -
As an EDIT -
I inspected a few other machines and did a First Run OTL scan and found similar items listed -
Shows that unless we look, then we do not find these items - All solved now -
Thanks again for the discussion -

This post has been edited by noknojon: 28 July 2011 - 06:05 PM

Hello,

Allow me to chime in a bit. I was looking at the full registry entries you listed and I see this: \Microsoft\Security Center\Monitoring\

as part of them.

I presume you are aware of the MS. Security Center which alerts you if your AV is inactive or not present. If the AV you have installed is not listed in one of those keys, the Security Center won't recognize the AV. I had that happen with one of my security programs in the past. I'd get an alert that I didn't have such and such security program when in fact I did.

Orange Blossom

Hi Orange Blossom , any extra info is always welcome -
I added this "AV: Microsoft Security Essentials *Enabled/Updated*" - From a DDS scan, as this is the only active a/v at this time -

MSE currently scans and updates , and is recognised as the only AV program I have currently installed ? ?
There is no "alert" given with MSE operating, and I am not sure if this is the same as you mean by "MS. Security Center".

My last XP had Avira / AVG / Avast / Norton / and a few other free or trial av's at different times (one at a time) and I never had any problems.
I liked to experiment as to how the other programs worked, but MSE has been my only personal AV choice for a few years.
The keys are all listed as Monitoring, but to me that meant 'Open Receptor Keys' in case I was to install a match for them.
Yet I note that, as there are dozens of av's out there, why were these the ones listed ? ?
Will they ever need to add one for IoBit in the future - I doubt that -

Still , Thanks for the input -

This post has been edited by Orange Blossom: 28 July 2011 - 10:19 PM
Reason for edit: Remove unnecessary quote. ~ OB

Hello,

I think we have a miscommunication here. Let me try to clarify things.

First, the Windows Security Center. You get to that by clicking on Control Panel then Security Center.

There, you will find Firewall, Automatic Updates, and AV. With all three, it will tell you if it's on or not. With Firewall and AV, it will tell you which program is active. With AV it will state if it's up-to-date.

In the case of the firewall and AV, if you are running a program that is NOT listed in a key such as you posted above, the Security Center will think you don't have one. It will say Off. In addition, you will get a tray notification from Windows Security Center that will tell you that you don't have a Firewall active, or you don't have an active AV unless you have disabled notifications.

You will NOT get an alert if things are up and running properly AND if the program is in its monitoring list.

The Monitor part of the key means the Windows Security Center's monitoring of your AV and Firewall; checking to see if they are running etc. If it's not listed in its monitoring list, it won't know to look for it.

Orange Blossom

Quote

Hi again .
I did basically understand, and the last bit was a joke only
From the Security center I get ; Microsoft Security Essentials reports that it is up to date and virus scanning is on.
Automatic Updades are also on, and the Firewall is on, so I get no warnings.

>> "if you are running a program that is NOT listed in a key such as you posted above," <<

As you stated in your earlier post, there are some av programs that are not recognised due to no "receptor" key.
I had used IoBit and this was always trouble since it seemed not to be recognised (Only an example).
Also I now know why you had some av's that were not recognised.

I do understand your reply and some of my response was . . . in jest. Bad sense of humor.

Thanks for the extras, I do apreciate your time, and I hope others read this thread also.
I am sure we can learn lots from posts like this by experts like you - - -