Question Malwarebytes detects TotalAV as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP.Optional.TotalAV)

[hakaru_eitara]

Hello ,
Please answer this post for Windows 7 sp1.
If Malwarebytes is already installed and you try to install TotalAV, it gets blocked.
It is described here:
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/pup-optional-totalavI

1---Is it safe to proceed with the installation of TotalAV?

2---If Malwarebytes Premium is already installed, is it advisable to install the free version of TotalAV alongside it?

3---As you know, support for Windows 7 has ended. Aside from upgrading to Windows 10 or later, what protection is recommended? Are antivirus solutions like Malwarebytes and TotalAV still sufficient for Windows 7?

4---There is something called Windows Defender in control panel , will it be updated to lastest update or as OS was ended , it is also end in support and receive lastest update?

 

[Lutfij]

1| I used BitDefender back in the day.

2| You don't need multiple antivirus's. One is enough.

3| Migrate to Windows 11 as Windows 10 is also going to run aground towards the end of this year.

4| It'll be disabled when you install an antivirus of your own. To add, Windows Defender during Windows 7 was horrible. It was only until Windows 10 came around is when Windows Defender was substantially good and you didn't need to install an aftermarket anti-virus. Ofc, just because you have an antivirus doesn't mean you shouldn't practice healthy web browsing habits(aka not visiting shady sites or clicking on suspicious pop ups).

 

[hakaru_eitara]

I used BitDefender back in the day.

Thank you , but I can't select the free plan , 🙁

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you , but I can't select the free plan , 🙁

I gave up BitDefender years ago.

The built in Windows AV tool, and functioning brain cells, is just fine.

 

[hakaru_eitara]

Windows AV tool

Thank you @USAFRet but I asked it for Window 7.

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you @USAFRet but I asked it for Window 7.

And still, yes.

But...Why Win 7? (pretty sure we've been down this road before)

 

[hakaru_eitara]

Hello friend,
Here is malwarebytes report ,

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 6/28/2025
Scan Time: 9:44 PM
Log File: 2e832ce**************2f686a348f.json

-Software Information-
Version: 5.2.4.*
Components Version: 1.0.5116
Update Package Version: 1.0.9316*
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: mypc-PC\mypc

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Scan Initiated By: Manual
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 187591
Threats Detected: 8
Threats Quarantined: 0
Time Elapsed: 16 min, 30 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
File system: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Enabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 0
(No malicious items detected)

File: 8
RiskWare.DontStealOurSoftware, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS, No Action By User,
RiskWare.DontStealOurSoftware, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS, No Action By User,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\TOTALAV\SECURITYSERVICE.EXE, No Action By User,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\TOTALAV\TOTALAV.EXE, No Action By User,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\USERS\MYPC\APPDATA\ROAMING\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\TOTALAV.LNK, No Action By User,
Malware.AI.2574597318, C:\USERS\MYPC\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\IS-TUCLT.TMP\ISHASH.DLL, No Action By User,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\TOTALAV.LNK, No Action By User,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\TOTALAV\PASSWORDEXTENSION.WIN.EXE, No Action By User,

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)

WMI: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

Here is what inside the : C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS

and : C:\USERS\MYPC\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\IS-TUCLT.TMP\ISHASH.DLL

I select quarantine and result will be 🙁after restart)

File: 8
RiskWare.DontStealOurSoftware, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS, Replaced,
RiskWare.DontStealOurSoftware, C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS, Replaced
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\TOTALAV\SECURITYSERVICE.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\TOTALAV\TOTALAV.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\USERS\MYPC\APPDATA\ROAMING\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\TOTALAV.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot,
Malware.AI.2574597318, C:\USERS\MYPC\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP\IS-TUCLT.TMP\ISHASH.DLL, Delete-on-Reboot,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\PUBLIC\DESKTOP\TOTALAV.LNK, Delete-on-Reboot,
PUP.Optional.TotalAV, C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86)\TOTALAV\PASSWORDEXTENSION.WIN.EXE, Delete-on-Reboot,

I'm a bit concerned that ISHASH.DLL is not appearing in the Local\Temp folder. What was it?and was it really malware ?while it was in TEMP folder , Does it mean it's living there for short time(setup.exe for 6 years ago !!!!!) ?it isn't legitimate DLL ?





thanks a lot




thanks a lot

 

[hakaru_eitara]

And still, yes.

But...Why Win 7? (pretty sure we've been down this road before)

Oh !!!
So WIn 7 can get lastest update as Win 10 does !!! I didn't know , thank you really
Yes, you're right , I have another OS (Win 10 ) , honestly , more comfort with 7 !

 

[USAFRet]

Oh !!!
So WIn 7 can get lastest update as Win 10 does !!! I didn't know , thank you really
Yes, you're right , I have another OS (Win 10 ) , honestly , more comfort with 7 !

Win 7 may still be getting some minor security updates.

But there are many downsides to continuing to use it.

If you have Win 10 elsewhere, why continuing with Win 7?
"more comfortable"? Give it up and move on. Everyone from a 7 year old to a 97 year old great grandma can do it....why not you?

 

[hakaru_eitara]

Win 7 may still be getting some minor security updates.

But there are many downsides to continuing to use it.

If you have Win 10 elsewhere, why continuing with Win 7?
"more comfortable"? Give it up and move on. Everyone from a 7 year old to a 97 year old great grandma can do it....why not you?

I understand what you are talking about 🙏
my Win 10 sometimes crashes , not working smoothly as win 7 , I couldn't install Free antivirus on it , I have ahd problem with some services , and I believe after installing win 10 , it has made system slowly like booting slowly ,

 

[USAFRet]

I understand what you are talking about 🙏
my Win 10 sometimes crashes , not working smoothly as win 7 , I couldn't install Free antivirus on it , I have ahd problem with some services , and I believe after installing win 10 , it has made system slowly like booting slowly ,

That is not the fault of Win 10.
Nor can be corrected with Win 7.

Your system has other issues.