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Update Software asked to use "Install Monitor" is this a safe program or a virus? It looks suspicious to me.

Anonymous
2021-07-13T00:57:48+00:00

Hello,

My grandmother was doing some windows updates (via the download and update windows button) and afterwards sent me a photo of one of the questions.

I have tried googling the query and cant find an answer anywhere which leads me to think that perhaps this is some kind of virus, or perhaps its part of the windows software and just never gets a message.

Since she 'enabled' it I have asked her not to use her laptop until we can find out more information as it looks really suspicious to me.

Mostly because I have never heard of "Install Monitor" before.

New Installation detected

We recommend enabling Install Monitor to help you log and view changes made to your system during the program installation.

29ef299c80d00ee4340b3694d870fe82.exe

(when googling this number it says possibly VLC player) but she would never have used this, so I don't know if she would have installed it.

image for reference: https://imgur.com/a/nwKJHic

Thank you very much for any assistance.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-07-13T02:07:36+00:00

    Hi Adrian. I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor.

    How good of you to help your grandma avoid problems like this one. That is nothing that Windows Updates would have pushed. I would not install it, in fact I'd wonder what else might have been installed that led her there.

    I would have her go into Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features change the Sort by field at top to Date, and then look for anything that she didn't intend to install on that date and uninstall it. While there have her scan down the list to report back anything she's not sure she installed so we can make sure it's safe.

    Next Download, install and run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes:

    https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ Make sure to only choose the Free version.

    In the Malwarebytes Settings (gear icon) > Security tab set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

    If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

    Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

    Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner:

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle...

    Remove whatever it finds.

    Check for anything it finds but is still left over in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(86) to uninstall or delete them. I can guide you how to do this if there are problems.

    Also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001411.htm

    to disable anything you didn't add yourself and are sure you need. Ask back if in doubt.

    Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist:

    Windows 10 Performance and Install Integrity Checklist - Microsoft Community

    If completing all of Step 10 in above Checklist doesn't fix it then run a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files, programs and most settings in place, by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link: Download Windows 10, open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This will solve most problems and also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

    If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version using the slider buttons on it's front panel.

    Then go back to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates and Check for Updates, install whatever it finds without any diversions.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let me know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-07-15T01:16:35+00:00

    What is safe to use? There is NO 3rd party app needed for installing Windows Updates, just install them from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates. Ignore any attempts to install 3rd party software as that is not coming from Windows Update!

    Can you please take a screenshot so I can see what you're seeing? Here's how to take one and attach using Attach Image button in reply box: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/o...

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-07-14T23:24:56+00:00

    Thanks, I installed this and scanned. It said it found one or two potentially unwanted programs, but no viruses.

    I guess its safe to use then.

    In terms of other programs we removed some things like foxit pdf, vlc which was installed (no clue why) and some extensions in chrome.

    The program list is very small and seems to just be office and a few other things which she used before this came up.

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