What is msmpeng.exe? 5 ways to see if it’s safe.

What is msmpeng.exe?

msmpeng.exe is an important part of Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender). This executable checks your PC for threats, stops threats, then downloads antivirus updates.

Publisher: Microsoft Windows Publisher

msmpeng.exe stands for Microsoft Malware Protection Engine.

What does msmpeng.exe do?

As part of Windows Security it protects your PC from threats.

Is msmpeng.exe safe? 5 easy ways to see if msmpeng.exe is safe or malware.

• 1. See who signed the msmpeng.exe (check the publisher)
• 2. Scan msmpeng.exe with Windows Security.
• 3. Check the network activity of msmpeng.exe.
• 4. Analyze msmpeng.exe with VirusTotal.
• 5. Run it in Windows Sandbox.

Why does msmpeng.exe access the network?

While investigating msmpeng.exe with the GlassWire network security monitor on our devices based in the USA we found it connects to servers controlled by Microsoft at wd-prod-cp-us-west-1-fe.westus.cloudapp.azure.com. We think it connects to get antivirus definitions to help protect your PC. GlassWire white lists this executable so your PC can continue to get important security protection and updates directly from Microsoft. You should not block this executable from accessing the network if you care about having a secure computer.

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Are you curious about the safety of another Windows file?
Visit our full Windows .exe file directory.

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