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Windows PCs at risk as new tool disarms built-in security
Windows PCs at risk as new tool disarms built-in security

Fox News

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • Fox News

Windows PCs at risk as new tool disarms built-in security

All modern Windows PCs come with Microsoft Defender built in. For the unaware, this tool is Windows' native antivirus. Over time, it has matured into a reliable security tool capable of blocking a wide range of threats. However, a tool called Defendnot can shut down Microsoft Defender completely, without exploiting a bug or using malware. It simply convinces Windows that another antivirus is already running. The implications are serious. This tool does not break into the system or use advanced code injection. It uses Windows features the way they were designed to be used. And that makes the problem harder to detect and harder to fix. Windows is built to avoid running multiple antivirus products at once. When a third-party antivirus registers itself, Windows disables Microsoft Defender to prevent conflicts. Defendnot exploits this system using an undocumented API that security software uses to communicate with the Windows Security Center. The tool registers a fake antivirus that appears legitimate to the system. It uses a dummy DLL and injects it into Task Manager, a trusted Windows process. By operating inside this signed process, Defendnot avoids signature checks and permission blocks. Once the fake antivirus is registered, Windows disables Microsoft Defender without warning or confirmation. No security alert is shown to the user. No visible changes are made to indicate that the system is unprotected. Unless someone checks manually, the machine remains open to attacks with no real-time protection running. The tool also includes options to set a custom antivirus name, enable logging and configure automatic startup. It achieves persistence by creating a scheduled task that runs whenever the user logs in. Defendnot is based on an earlier project called No-Defender. That project used code from an actual antivirus product to fake registration. It gained attention quickly and was removed after a copyright complaint from the vendor whose code had been reused. The developer took the project down and walked away from it. With Defendnot, the creator rebuilt the core features using original code. This version avoids copyright issues and uses a new method to achieve the same effect. It does not rely on another antivirus or third-party binaries. It was written from scratch to demonstrate how simple it is to manipulate Windows security from inside the system. Microsoft Defender currently flags the tool as a threat. It detects and quarantines it under the name Win32/ However, the fact that it works at all points to a weakness in how Windows handles antivirus registration and trust. While Defendnot is a research project, there's a chance that similar tools are already out there and could be used to compromise your PC. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe: 1. Use strong antivirus software: Even with regular updates, Windows systems can be left exposed by tools like Defendnot that silently disable built-in defenses. A strong third-party antivirus with real-time protection and frequent updates provides essential backup security. Look for solutions with real-time protection and frequent updates to tackle emerging threats. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. 2. Limit exposure: Many exploits rely on user interaction, such as clicking a shady link, downloading a compromised file or mounting an untrusted virtual disk. Stick to reputable websites, avoid opening unsolicited email attachments and use a browser with built-in security features (like Microsoft Edge or Chrome with Safe Browsing enabled). 3. Avoid running unexpected commands: Never paste or run commands (like PowerShell scripts) you don't understand or that were copied from random websites. Attackers often trick users into unknowingly running malware this way. 4. Keep your software updated: Regularly update your operating system, browsers and all software applications. Updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that malware can exploit. 5. Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if they have your password. 6. Invest in personal data removal services: Even with strong device security, your personal information may still be exposed online through data brokers and people-finder sites. These services collect and publish details like your name, address and phone number, making you an easier target for identity theft or phishing. Automated data removal services track down these sites and submit removal requests on your behalf, helping to reduce your digital footprint and increase your online anonymity. While they can't erase every trace of your information, they make it significantly harder for attackers to find and exploit your personal data, which saves you time and reduces unwanted spam in the process. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here. Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web. Defendnot points to a bigger issue with how Windows handles security. It takes a feature meant to prevent software conflicts and turns it into a way to completely disable protection. The system assumes any registered antivirus is legitimate, so if attackers can fake that, they get in without much resistance. We often think of security as blocking the bad and trusting the good. But this case shows what happens when that trust is misplaced. Defendnot doesn't sneak past Windows defenses. It walks right in using valid credentials. The solution isn't just more patches or stronger malware signatures. What we need is a smarter way for systems to tell what is actually safe. Do you think companies like Microsoft need to rethink how Windows handles antivirus registration and trust, given that tools like Defendnot can so easily disable built-in protections without using malware or exploiting a bug? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.

So Cheap, It's Basically Free — PIA VPN Flash Sale is Live
So Cheap, It's Basically Free — PIA VPN Flash Sale is Live

Gizmodo

time17-05-2025

  • Business
  • Gizmodo

So Cheap, It's Basically Free — PIA VPN Flash Sale is Live

Have you ever bought a box of matches? It's so cheap, it's basically free! Well, matches aren't the only next-to-free thing. Private Internet Access, with its flash sale, aims for the title of the best inexpensive VPN service available. With a handy discount for its 24-month plan, PIA VPN gives its competitors a run for their money. But, don't let the bottom-shelf price fool you. PIA's package is choke-full of goodies, all waiting for you to claim them. See Offer at Private Internet Access PIA VPN is Nearly Free With This Discount There isn't much time left to get Private Internet Access at its all-time lowest price. The VPN's 24-month plan is sweetened with 2 free months and a massive 82% discount. That brings the cost down to just $2.19/month for the first 26 months. To clarify this flash sale, the entire package costs just under $57 for this period, and yearly thereafter. While PIA offers 6-month and 1-month plans, they're not particularly cheap and aren't part of the same spring sale. It's also worth noting that Private Internet Access offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Consider it another spice that endorses a VPN free trial for 30 days, allowing for a full refund in case you're unsatisfied. Save Big on Its Antivirus & Dedicated IPs If you need more than a VPN, perhaps a VPN combined with antivirus should do the trick? If you're on Windows and need additional protection, PIA Antivirus is there at 68% off and a price of a measly $1.45/mo for 2 years. Those with different needs can opt for a dedicated IP at only $2.50/mo and 50% off. Users can choose from a whopping 26 locations and enjoy some of the safest, fastest, and most reliable dedicated IP VPN addresses. More About Private Internet Access PIA VPN goes all in with this rather inviting sale. Even if you think you don't need a VPN, you'll be thinking twice and perhaps conclude that getting one is smart. If that's the case, PIA is a no-brainer option in 2025. Just imagine having unlimited connections on a single subscription. Add to that unlimited bandwidth for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and everything else. Now, let's include 30,000+ servers and a verified no-log policy. PIA doesn't pull punches in security, either. Bank-grade GCM encryption is there, fueled by other functions like Multi-hop, Shadowsocks obfuscation, MACE ad-blocker, and servers based exclusively on RAM. While inflation did its toll on the marketplace, VPNs like these still exist. Two quids can buy you pretty much nothing today — maybe a pack of chewing gum. Now, you can also get Private Internet Access at this temporary price. Explore All PIA VPN Discounts Today

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