You might have recently been affected by a new virus or malware – or so your anti-virus says. Many users get an alert that idp.generic has been discovered on their system, often from otherwise harmless programs. For example, many users report this arising from Spotify Web Helper. This signal can either be malware or a false positive.
Determining whether the threat is malware or not is vitally important. Most users reported this issue arising when utilizing AVG and Avast antivirus software. While you may receive this warning from other programs, it’s unlikely. Here is what you need to know about idp.generic and whether it is safe to remove from your system or not.
What is idp.generic?
IDP.generic is a possible threat to your system that has been detected by the Identity Detection Protection or IDP feature of your antivirus program. This is designed to protect your system from viruses, malware, and trojans that might steal your personal information and data.
The .generic ending means the threat was identified from a generic file. When your antivirus program detects a threat like this, its first step is to isolate and delete the file.
While you should always pay attention to warnings from your antivirus program, most idp.generic alerts are false positives. That said, you should double-check by running a scan with a separate antivirus program to guarantee it isn’t a malicious file in disguise.
The problem arises from the program’s response to the file. Suppose it detects the IDP.generic threat in a file that’s necessary for another program to run–like the previously mentioned Spotify Web Helper–and deletes that file. In that case, Spotify might encounter glitches and other problems.
What Causes idp.generic Warnings?
There are several problems for idp.generic warnings, but the most common cause is outdated AVG or Avast antivirus software that flags innocent programs as malicious. Another possible cause is outdated Java software.
If you’ve been receiving this warning, make sure you update your antivirus software to the latest version. Avast and AVG have received updates that reduce this problem, but you might still receive the alert if you haven’t updated.
If that doesn’t work, update Java. To accomplish this, open Control Panel > Programs > Java and navigate to the Update tab. At the bottom, click Update Now.
To update Avast, hit the Menu icon in the top-right corner, choose Update, and check for Update under both options. Doing this will assure that both your software and your virus definitions are entirely up to date.
When is idp.generic Not a False Positive?
You can never be 100 percent sure that idp.generic is not a false positive. When you receive the alert, you should always run a second scan to be sure. That said, there are a few clues that the signal might be more than a false positive.
The first is if the affected file is in the temp folder. This is a well-known destination for trojans and malware. If the alert points you here, it’s deserving a second look.
The second is if the infected file is an executable. Unless it’s from a trusted origin, you should be wary of opening the file. Executable files in virus scans often mean trouble because if it truly is a virus, it can infect your system with a host of problematic malware.
Pay consideration to the name of the file, too. If the file’s name is malicious or does not belong, the threat is most likely accurate.
How Do I Remove idp.generic On Windows 10?
If you receive an IDP.generic warning, you might be tempted to remove it from your computer immediately. If the file is not attached to anything substantial, by all means, let your antivirus do its job.
If there is a possibility this is a false identification by your antivirus, take the time to update both Java and your antivirus software. Once you have downloaded the update, restart your computer and rerun the scan.
If the antivirus software yet detects idp.generic, download a program like Malwarebytes or Kaspersky and run a secondary scan. You need to use a program that isn’t AVG or Avast in case the problem still lies within the antivirus software itself.
If the threat is identified, allow the antivirus software to remove the threat, either by deleting it or quarantining it. While it is possible to eliminate it from your system on your own, this can be a complicated process. Antivirus software will remove any contaminated files related to the original threat.
How Can I Prevent idp.generic Threats?
These threats are usually due to outdated software. Enable automatic updates for your antivirus software to remain up to date at all times, and do the same for Java. This will check false positive alerts from AVG and Avast, so whenever an IDP.generic threat appears, you will know to take it more seriously.
As for bypassing other threats online, be wary of opening any email from an unknown sender. Avoid websites and downloads from sources you don’t believe. Between a bit of awareness and reliable antivirus software, you can avoid most threats to your computer and personal data.
What to Do If I Find a False Positive?
Before going into the details, you have to first take the file out of the virus vault. If you don’t eliminate the file out of the vault, the antivirus will block it. Follow these simple steps to fix the issue.
- Firstly, open the Avast Antivirus Application.
- Secondly, move to Protection.
- Thirdly, choose Virus Chest from the Protection tab.
- For the final step. Select Restore and Add Excursion.
These steps are according to Avast antivirus. However, these steps use in other antivirus applications as well. Every antivirus has a vault. This vault supports you to retrieve the files from there.
You should also upload the file to the wrong-positive form. This will notify Avast antivirus about the file. If you follow this step, you will not face any problems regarding false positives. Hit here and fill out all the necessary details.