defender

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If you're not finding what you're looking for please go to this forum and submit a new startup entry.

Key:

"Y" - Normally leave to run at start-up
"N" - Not required - typically infrequently used tasks that can be started manually if necessary
"U" - User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary
"X" - Definitely not required - typically viruses, spyware, adware and "resource hogs"
"?" - Unknown

	Startup Name	Process Name	Details
X	AdKiller	AD Defender.exe	"Part of the Advanced Spyware Remover rogue spyware remover - not recommended
X	advanceddefender	advanceddefender.exe	"Advanced Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	APcDefender	APcDefender.exe	"APcDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	ArmorDefender	ArmorDefender.exe	"ArmorDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	AXPDefender	AXPDefender.exe	"Advanced XP Defender rogue security software - not recommended
Y	BitDefender 12	bdwizreg.exe	"Configuration wizard for BitDefender internet security products. Only runs once the product has been installed. Guides you through the steps necessary to configure the BitDefender modules
Y	BitDefender 2009	IEShow.exe	"Anti-phishing component of BitDefender internet security products. Anti-phishing prevents sensitive data such as usernames
Y	BitDefender 2009	bdagent.exe	"BitDefender Agent - for BitDefender internet security products. Maintains settings (for all users) and provides alerts and System Tray access to the main program. Note - for the System Tray icon to be displayed the Terminal Services service must be set to either ""Manual"" or ""Automatic"". It can also be licensed by other products such as versions of The Shield Deluxe from PCSecurityShield (see here) - who's reputation is poor"
Y	BitDefender Antiphishing Helper	IEShow.exe	"Anti-phishing component of BitDefender internet security products. Anti-phishing prevents sensitive data such as usernames
X	BitDefender Antivirus	BITDEFENDERX.EXE	"Added by a variant of the SPYBOT WORM!"
Y	BitDefender Communicator	xcommsvr.exe	"BitDefender antivirus"
U	BitDefender for MSN Messenger	msnmon.exe	"Bitdefender anti-virus for MSN Messenger - no longer supported at the BitDefender website"
U	BitDefender for Yahoo! Messenger	yahmon.exe	"Bitdefender anti-virus for Yahoo! Messenger - no longer supported at the BitDefender website"
Y	BitDefender Live! Init	bdinit.exe	"BitDefender antivirus"
Y	BitDefender Scan Server	bdss.exe	"BitDefender antivirus"
Y	BitDefender Virus Shield	vsserv.exe	"BitDefender antivirus"
Y	bitdefenderlive	avxlive.exe	"Main program of BitDefender virus scanner/firewall"
U	BitDefender_P2P_Startup	BitDefender_P2P_Startup.exe	"Bitdefender anti-virus for P2P clients - no longer supported at the BitDefender website"
X	ByteDefender	ByteDefender.exe	"ByteDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Computer Defender 2009	cd2009.exe	"Computer Defender 2009 rogue security software - not recommended
U	Cyber-Defender 2003	uwcdsvr.exe	"
X	defender	defender25.exe	"DollarRevenue adware"
X	defender	dfndref_7.exe	"DollarRevenue adware"
X	defender	[path to trojan]	"Added by the VB-BAQ TROJAN!"
X	Desktop Defender 2010	Desktop Defender 2010.exe	"Desktop Defender 2010 rogue security software - not recommended
X	DriveDefender	GDC.exe	"DriveDefender rogue privacy tool - not recommended. A member of the PCPrivacyTool family"
X	GreatDefender	GreatDefender.exe	"GreatDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	GreatDefender.exe	GreatDefender.exe	"GreatDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	msdefender	msdefender.exe	"Identified as a variant of the PAKES.CMD TROJAN! See here for an example"
X	msdefender.exe	msdefender.exe	"Added by the PAKES.ZL TROJAN!"
X	PCPrivacyDefender Freeware	UPSPDAP.exe	"PCPrivacyDefender rogue privacy program - not recommended
X	PCTotalDefender	pgs.exe	"PCTotalDefender rogue security software - not recommended. A member of the AVSystemCare family"
X	Perfect Defender 2009	pdfndr.exe	"Perfect Defender 2009 rogue security software - not recommended
X	Personal Defender 2009	pdefendr.exe	"Personal Defender 2009 rogue security software - not recommended
U	Popup Defender	PD.exe	"
X	Proof Defender 2009	pdfndr.exe	"Proof Defender 2009 rogue security software - not recommended
X	ProtectDefender	ProtectDefender.exe	"ProtectDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	SaveDefender	SaveDefender.exe	"SaveDefender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Search Defender	SearchDefender.exe	"Installed by SpeedItUp without permission
X	Service Defender	[random filename]	"Added by a variant of the ZLOB TROJAN! See here"
X	Smart Defender PRO	smrtdefp.exe	"Smart Defender PRO rogue security software - not recommended
X	SpySpotter System Defender	Defender.exe	"SpySpotter rogue spyware remover - not recommended
X	SysDefenders	SysDefenders.exe	"SysDefenders rogue security software - not recommended
X	System Defender	WS[random characters].exe	"System Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	SystemDefender	SystemDefender.exe	"SystemDefender rogue spyware remover - not recommended
X	TheLastDefender	LastDefender.exe	"The Last Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Total PC Defender	Total PC Defender.exe	"Total PC Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Total PC Defender 2010	Total PC Defender 2010.exe	"Total PC Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Ultimate Defender	UltimateDefender.exe	"Ultimate Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	windefender	windefender.exe	"Added by the AGENT.BYH TROJAN!"
X	WinDefender 2008	WDefDemo.exe	"WinDefender 2008 rogue privacy program - not recommended
X	WinDefender2009	windef.exe	"WinDefender 2009 rogue security software - not recommended
Y	Windows Defender	MSASCui.exe	"Main user interface for Microsoft's Windows Defender on XP/Vista - which ""helps protect your computer against pop-ups
X	Windows Defender	wdc*.exe	"Added by a variant of the FakeAlert TROJAN! This infection displays fake Windows Defender alerts which link to spyware-kicker.com"
X	Windows Defender Adds	wda*.exe	"Added by a variant of the FakeAlert TROJAN! This infection displays fake Windows Defender alerts which link to spyware-kicker.com"
X	Windows Defender Monitor	wdm*.exe	"Added by a variant of the FakeAlert TROJAN! This infection displays fake Windows Defender alerts which link to spyware-kicker.com"
X	Windows Defender Updater	wdu*.exe	"Added by a variant of the FakeAlert TROJAN! This infection displays fake Windows Defender alerts which link to spyware-kicker.com"
X	Windows Enterprise Defender	WindowsEDefender.exe	"Windows Enterprise Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Windows PC Defender	WP[random characters].exe	"Windows PC Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	Windows System Defender	WS[random characters].exe	"Windows System Defender rogue security software - not recommended
X	WinXDefender	WinXDefender.exe	"WinXDefender rogue spyware remover - not recommended
X	XPdefender	XPdefender.exe	"XPdefender rogue spyware remover - not recommended

DISCLAIMER: It is assumed that users are familiar with the operating system they are using and comfortable with making the suggested changes. I will not be held responsible if changes you make cause a system failure.

This is NOT a list of tasks/processes taken from Task Manager or the Close Program window (CTRL+ALT+DEL) but a list of startup applications, although you will find some of them listed via this method. Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL identifies programs that are currently running - not necessarily at startup. For a list of tasks/processes you should try WinTasks 5 Standard/Professional from LIUtilities or the list at AnswersThatWork. Therefore, before ending a task/process via CTRL+ALT+DEL just because it has an "X" recommendation, please check whether it's in MSCONFIG or the registry first. An example would be "svchost.exe" - which doesn't appear in either under normal conditions but does via CTRL+ALT+DEL. If in doubt, don't do anything.