Definition Update for Windows Defender causing problems?

[LizzieW]

I use Mozilla Firefox and had 2 updates yesterday one for Mozilla and the other one for Windows.  The Windows update is "Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.139.634.0)

I updated both Firefox and Windows yesterday at which point I could no longer get on to the internet - although I could send and receive e-mails, I use Mozilla Thunderbird.  I tried again today, thinking that turning the laptop on and off would solve the problem.  It didn't so I did a system restore to yesterday morning.  All worked OK following that, then Firefox gave me an update to instal.  I installed that and all was still OK.  Then Windows came back at me telling me there was an important update I needed to install to revise the definition files used to detect spyware and other potentially unwanted software.  I decided to update Windows and then, of course, I couldn't get on to the internet again.  So once again I did a system restore to yesterday morning and everything is OK again.

Has anyone else had any problem with this Windows update?

Lizzie

[LizzieW]

ps.  The weird thing is that even now, the little icon on the laptop telling me whether the laptop is connected to the internet or not has a red cross on it, implying that I'm not connected, however, when I click on it to connect to a network, it comes up showing I'm connected - as indeed I am or I couldn't send this message to Rootschat.

[stanmapstone]

Have a look at http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15788/how-to-uninstall-disable-and-remove-windows-defender.-also-how-turn-it-off/

Stan

[LizzieW]

Thank you for that Stan, I'll turn Windows defender off as I already have Zone Alarm installed.

I'm now not sure the problem is Windows.  I had another update from Mozilla to update Firefox 16.02.  As my husband also uses Mozilla Firefox on his PC (and Virginmedia as our internet supplier - if that's the correct word) I checked if he had Mozilla 16.02 downloaded.  He had, he updated yesterday.  So I thought it would be OK to download Mozilla 16.02.  Guess what, I lost access to the internet again so I had to do another system restore.

I don't know why Mozilla Firefox's update would be a problem if it is OK on my husband's PC.

Lizzie

[stanmapstone]

I have been updated to Firefox 16.0.2 and have had no problems. Windows 7

Stan

[mshrmh]

LizzieW - I'm no techy, but aware they like to know what version of Windows you're using. Is that the same as your husband's?

I'm using XP & Firefox 16.0.2 with no problems - I don't use Defender.

[LizzieW]

Of course, maybe that's the problem.  OH uses Windows 7, I use Windows Vista.

Perhaps I should update to Windows 7.

Lizzie

[LizzieW]

Got to leave here for the rest of today, we have builders in and they start a new phase of the work tomorrow, so I'm supposed to be helping OH move things around.

Thank you for you help.

[HarryW]

I The Windows update is "Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.139.634.0)

I've updated Windows Defender - Definition 1.139.734.0 yesterday and then 1.139.773.0 today.   No problems, although I am Windows 8 and I also have Firefox 16.0.2

Harry