Windows 7: Is Windows Defender Legit?

I was using my computer (not this one) and got a warning from Windows Defender that I was subject to virus. I clicked to remove and they wanted something like $79 for Security Plus. Is this BS? The Windows Defender now locks up my system with constant warnings and I cannot stop the pop up warnings.

Is this really a Microsoft product? Who is Security Plus? I have the free virus programs from McAfee and AVG and they do not detect any virus's.

My system immediately crashed after the warnings from Defender.

It sounds like you were attacked with 'ransome ware' ...
Is this actually windefender.exe ?

I was under the impression that when I downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials that Windows Defender was an add on product. I did get the computer to reboot and I keep getting the Security Shield Warning which is really annoying. It asks to removed the 41 problems, most of which I'm sure are harmless but it wants $79 to do so. It ays "During the last scan malicious programs (10), viruses (23), adware (9), spyware (3), tracking cooies (1) were detected. It claims the spyware.IE Monster process is found.

If I knew this was a Microsoft product I'd have no problem with paying. I'm just concerned it is spam itself.

It also warns "wermgr.exe is infected with "Virus.DOS.Accept.3619". Do you want to register your copy and remove all threats now?"

This error message and popup will not stop popping up.

I did a search of the computer for windefender.exe and it wasn't found.

Windows Defender, (the real one) never asks you for money to remove something. Like Jacee says, you probably have a scam program (a fake Windows Defender, or similar program masquerading as Defender) installed and/or are infected.

Windows Defender already comes preinstalled on Windows 7. If you install Microsoft Security Essentials, MSE will automatically disable Windows Defender because it takes over for what Defender does.

Sounds like you might have the "windows pc defender virus"

How to Remove Windows PC Defender Virus

PooMan beat me to it.

This is the malware remover they suggest per PooMan and myself.
Free version button on the top left of page.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Download the real Microsoft Security Essentials from here http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Any kind of AV that asks for money to remove something is a warning flag.

Also, any kind of AV that suddenly pops up and has bells and whistles & flashing lights warning you you have a virus is a warning flag.

If you can do a system restore 2 steps before you got this, it might solve your problems. I say 2 steps because some malware/viruses will embed themselves in the most recent restore point. Nowadays, it's safer to go back one point past when the problem 1st started. This doesn't always guarantee you'll get rid of it, but in some instances, it does...at least for now.

Seems that you somehow downloaded the rogue MSE.

This is one thing you do have to be cautious of. If you Google MSE or Defender, you can find a lot of links, but unless it is indeed coming from the Microsoft site, you probably aren't getting the real thing.