Should I unblock MsMpEng.exe, and if so, how?

Norton 360 for Windows
1

Shortly after installing Norton 360 and Norton Ultimate Utilities, a Norton 360 window popped up saying the MsMpEng.exe had been trying to access FireFox cookies and recommending I block it, which I did.

About MsMpEng.exe, N360 currently says:

App blocked

MsMpEng.exe is now restricted from accessing your browser cookies.

We’ll always block this app

Button::Got it

Link::Hide details ^

App name C: \ program data \ Microsoft \ windows defender \ platform \ 4.18.24090.11-0 \ MsMPEng.Exe

Affected browser Firefox

Password storage path C:\ users \ [USERNAME] \ appdata \ roaming \ Mozilla \ Firefox \ profiles \ 12|5ya0r.default-release \ cookies.Sqlite

Detected by Browser data protection

Status Blocked

Prompted by the “Ms” prefix, I put the filename into a search engine, which produced:

AI Overview

Learn more

“Msmpeng.exe” stands for “Microsoft Malware Protection Engine” and is a core component of Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus and antimalware protection on Windows operating systems; essentially, it’s the executable file responsible for scanning your computer for threats like viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, and taking action to remove or quarantine them if found.

Having, some time in the past, seen that N360 turns off Windows Defender (WD) in favor of its own firewall, I thought blocking MsMpEng.exe wouldn’t be a problem. However, something led me to what appeared to be a WD control panel. From what I could tell, N360 was using some functions of WD. So, my main premise for thinking MsMpEng wouldn’t be missed was not correct.

So, I’m wondering if I sould unblock MsMpEng.exe and, if so, how.

2

the norton utilities expect new thing soon if my intel is right i am a vip at norton i dont work at norton but i has much to say but remember they has 6 major bugs in the norton utilities and they is more importent then the new thing and that is why there is not much comming but if my intel is right expect many new thing ass a im sorry patch
The patch can be a upgrate on 5 thing at all 4 new thing and a small upgrade of the system junk but that is also
5 thing and i has som good intel on what there is in the patch but that is only maybe it has change but if im right be happy im sure what the first 3 is but the rest not becurse they has 4 thing to add from and they is all good

3

@rickwackernagel When third party A/V installs ALL the normal functions of Windows Defender are turned over to that antivirus software, with the exception of Windows Firewall. The Windows Firewall must remain active in order for Windows Updates to function correctly. Norton will not disable it. Below is an example of what I see in my Norton history, this is normal whether its accessing a browser for cookies. Open WD in Windows settings and see if you have periodic scanning enabled. If it is you can disable it as it will not cause issues. Actually having it enabled can cause issues and conflicts.

WD blocking is normal
WD blocking is normal794×530 62.3 KB

SA

4

Thanks, SA, for the explanations.

I found Periodic scanning in:

[Windows] Settings > Privacy & security > Windows security > Virus & threat protection > Microsoft Defender antivirus options

It was already off.

From your message, I take it that letting N360 continue to block MsMpEng.exe from accessing browser cookies is not going to put my computer or my digital assets at risk. Is that correct?

Thx, agn,
RW

5

No, these notifications / entries in history are not an indication of your computer being at risk. WD is in fact not the main protection active on the system. These WD features are set to ON in the event WD is the only system protection.

SA

6

Thx mchly,
RW

7

You’re very welcome! Glad to help.

SA