IDP.generic is a false positive virus that may prevent certain files from running on the PC. Here is a brief introduction to IDP.generic and how to remove it.
What is IDP.generic?
- The users who use the various antivirus software such as Avast, Norton, etc., encounter such warnings in their application as the file is identified as IDP.
- The generic threat, the antivirus declares is like the threat and it is no longer able to work on the user’s computer.
- For example, if the antivirus software installed on the user’s computer detects it as IDP. The generic threat, the game will not be able to launch.
- The generic threat by the antivirus will also face similar infections.
- In some cases, the antivirus software installed on the system detects a harmless or legitimate file as a threat which can be called false positive detection and quarantine or remove them from the system.
- There can be situations when such types of detections may lead to the deletion of important files of the user or important system files.
- In many cases, the hackers or crackers can impersonate the files with malicious codes as legitimate, by keeping their names similar to the original files and such files may not be detected by the antivirus as a threat to the system.
- Therefore, the users are advised to double-check by running a virus scan on other programs such as Windows Defender Software.
- The users should make sure that the antivirus software installed on their computer is up-to-date and detects files as the IDP.Generic threat.
- If other security programs and tools also detect and report the file as a threat to the user’s device, then it should be removed instantly as such a file can be Trojan, which can multiply and cause data or financial loss.
How IDP.generic enter your system?
- The files having malware can be imported into the user’s device in a huge number of ways such as spam campaigns, Trojans, fake/unofficial software updates, software 'cracking' tools, and dubious software download sources.
- The spam campaigns are the attack in which the malicious programmer sends the emails with infected files as attachments which can be Microsoft Office documents, archives such as RAR, ZIP, PDF documents, executables, JavaScript files, etc.
- Once the user trusts the mail and opens the file, they start downloading and installing it on the system, thereby affecting the entire system.
- Trojans, if once installed on the computer can multiply with the sole purpose to cause chain infections.
- Fake software updates can cause harm to a system by installing malicious programs instead of updates or bug fixes.
- The software cracking tools avoid the software activation but operate in the same manner if the programmer has designed it to download and install the viruses or other malicious programs.
- The hackers offer malicious executables as legitimate files through various untrustworthy software download tools, for example, Peer-to-Peer networks, third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, free file hosting, freeware download websites, etc.
- When the user installs such files, he unknowingly installs the malicious programs in his system which steals the data or infects the entire system.
How to prevent it?
The users can avoid installing the malware files on their system by-
- Official and trustworthy websites should be used to download software by using direct links.
- Software should be kept updated by using the use implemented tools or functions provided by official software developers and not from the unofficial resources.
- The users should not open the email attachments of the emails received from unknown people. Such emails are usually presented as official attacking the curiosity, greed, or fear of the person but these should be ignored if they are not relevant to the user.
- Avoid using the ‘cracking’ tools which bypass the activation as they can cause the download and installation of malware.
- The user should use reputable and trusted antivirus software to scan and prevent their devices from various infections.
IDP.generic virus tag is a detection when antivirus finds any unusual behavior with the files in the user’s system. Many antivirus products use various virus tags to identify the type of threat to the user out of which some tags can turn out to be false positive are called blacklist genuine programs or files. One of such tags is called IDP.generic. Some people think that the IDP.generic virus is malware that steals information from the device but it is only a false tag. We can know if this IDP.generic tag is safe or not or the safety of the files marked by this tag by using the following methods:
- Use VirusTotal to check the file
- Scan your system with a different antivirus
- Use a file unlocker tool
1] Use VirusTotal to check the file
Virustotal is a tool that is used to check the authenticity of any website or file for free. To check if the file is marked with IDP.generic tag has a false positive tag (or not). The users can visit the quarantine section, find their file and after right-click on the file, they can select the option to open the file’s location. After uploading the file in question, the users can wait until VirusTotal has checked the file and reported its safety.
2] Use different antivirus software to scan your entire system
If the antivirus software of the system is overprotective, the users can use different antivirus software to check and report the false tag. Software such as Windows Defender software, free standalone antivirus scanners, or free antivirus software products can be availed by the user for the purpose of double-checking the desired file.
3] Use a file unlocker tool
The file with the IDP.generic tag can not be deleted directly in case if it is locked. In such a case like this, the user will require a Free File Unlocker tool which will help the user to unlock the desired file and later delete the same from their respective devices.
Conclusion:
The IDP.generic is a false positive tag that is required to be removed from the PC as it can prevent some important programs from running or may even delete some confidential data declaring it as harmful.
