Why Windows Defender Flags Popular Monitoring Tools as Threats

Recently, some Windows users have noticed that Windows Defender is flagging popular system monitoring applications as threats. One such program is Traffic Monitor, a handy tool that shows your internet speed, CPU and memory usage, and even hardware temperatures directly on the taskbar.

What’s Happening?

When features like CPU and GPU temperature monitoring are enabled, Windows Defender may detect the program’s driver as a vulnerable driver. This doesn’t mean the program is a virus or Trojan, but rather that the driver has deep access to your system’s hardware. Because of this access, attackers could potentially exploit it to run harmful commands on your computer.

Specifically, you may see the warning VulnerableDriver:WinNT/Winring0.G. This doesn’t mean your program is malware. It flags an older version of the WinRing0 driver, which many monitoring and RGB lighting tools use. This driver has a known security flaw (CVE-2020-14979) that attackers can abuse using the Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) technique to gain control, disable security tools, or install malware. Microsoft Defender blocks it to reduce this risk.

Affects Other Monitoring Tools Too

Traffic Monitor isn’t the only program affected. Other popular monitoring tools like MSI Afterburner, Hardware Info, Fan Control, and even drivers from big brands like Gigabyte and SteelSeries have also been flagged. These tools rely on the same kind of low-level access, which is why Defender treats them as a potential risk.

False Positives or Real Risk?

At first, Windows Defender marked some of these applications as Trojans. Later, it changed the detection to vulnerable driver or even hack tool. This inconsistency can be confusing. The important point is: the tools themselves aren’t malicious, but their drivers could be misused if exploited.

Should You Be Worried?

If you use these tools, your PC isn’t infected. However, keeping the hardware monitoring features enabled may leave your system more vulnerable. You can still use Traffic Monitor and similar apps safely by disabling features like temperature monitoring. This reduces the risk while still letting you track internet speeds and resource usage.

Conclusion

Windows Defender isn’t wrong to be cautious, but it can cause confusion by labeling useful applications as threats. If you rely on monitoring tools, understand the risks and decide which features you really need. For many users, simply disabling the temperature monitoring option is enough to continue using these apps safely.

I’ve also made a video on this topic — you can watch it below.

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