How To Fix IDP.Generic Virus Warning

Have you too encountered the IDP.Generic virus detected by your antivirus program while using any legitimate software on your Windows? If yes, then it might have left you worried, and you might be unable to use that software again.

As a matter of fact, most Windows users get this IDP.Generic virus detected notification on their files. And you must know that IDP.Generic virus detected by your antivirus is not related to a specific folder but might get caught in a wide range of files infected by it.

IDP.Generic - How to Fix IDP.Generic Virus Found Warning

IDP.Generic is a bug of Avast and AVG antivirus Software, which notifies their users that their file contains the IDP.Generic virus. Users face this issue commonly with legitimate software and specific game files, and not to mention steam users are also encountering this threat message.

But you need not worry anymore because of the IDP.Generic is more of a false positive than Malware. In this article, you will not only come across some of the relatable questions that might be arising in your mind regarding the same issue but also their answers. So let’s start.

The term “IDP.Generic” might look like a confusing code to many but it’s essential to know its implications, especially if you’re concerned about the safety of your computer systems.

In this article, we will dive into what IDP.Generic is, what IDP software stands for, its benefits, and whether you should delete files flagged as IDP.Generic.

What is IDP.Generic?

IDP.Generic is a tag that antivirus programs, particularly those by AVG and Avast, use to identify files that exhibit “Identity Protection” threats. It’s a heuristic label, meaning it identifies new and unknown files based on their behavior rather than their code signatures.

Essentially, it’s like a precautionary flag; however, it doesn’t always mean that the file is dangerous.

 

IDP.Generic is A Virus?

IDP.Generic is a term used to describe a set of Malware infections that are detected by Avast’s protection detection component.

In other words, IDP generic detection means that the mentioned anti-virus program uses an identity protection detection component to detect unusual activity from a program or file that may be identical to any malware activity.

Due to which the antivirus blocks that particular file, and we are unable to use that application again.

idp generic virus malware false positive

The users get the message notification  by their Avast or AVG anti-virus program stating that:

“One of your programs is behaving strangely, which could be a sign of Malware.”

Path: C:\Windows\System\cmd.exe; Infection: IDP.Generic

Although this threat message can be more of a  false positive than a real threat, in either of the cases, our work gets hindered due to the same. So we must know more about it. You might be curious about what causes it and whether IDP.Generic should be ignored or not. Thus, moving ahead, let’s first talk about it is worthy of your attention or not.

Should You Ignore This Error?

Well, most of us prioritize the system’s security more than anything else. So we should not ignore any warning from our anti-virus programs. Similarly, even in most of the cases of IDP.Generic is false positive, we should not ignore it entirely as it can be some malware.

Therefore, it is vital to make sure that nothing malicious is installed on your system. Because if IDP.Generic is due to some Malware, then it might slow down your system.

Also, you might encounter frequent BSoDs, crashing of programs, redirecting to suspicious sites, etc. And thus, it will make things more troublesome for you. So it is always better to scan that file with another anti-virus too, if your antivirus program is indicating it as IDP.Generic at first.

We recommend you to use VirusTotal. VirusTotal is a website where you can upload files, and it will tell you whether the file contains any malicious component. Basically, this software service of VirusTotal facilitates the quicker detection of viruses, Trojans, worms, and all different kinds of malware programs that the antivirus engines can detect.

The below steps will guide you to use VirusTotal to find any file being malicious or not.

Step 1: First of all, install the software “VirusTotal” on your system.

Fix IDP Generic

Step 2: Then, select the “browser” button and copy-paste the following lines into the File Name Field

For instance: C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe

(You must copy-paste the name of that file which you want to check)

Step 3: After that, click the option “Open.”

Step 4: At last, select the option “Send File” located at the bottom of the page of VirusTotal.

Now, wait till the scanning process completes. And after that, you will know that the file is malicious or not.

If the file is not flagged as suspicious by VirusTotal, then you are free to ignore the IDP.Generic notification and then just update your antivirus program. But if in case the file tends to be a malicious file then, you should opt for a full file and system scan by your antivirus program.

Check Some Other Errors:

What Causes IDP.Generic False Positive?

We already talked about the consequences of IDP.Generic in the previous part, and now we will discuss what causes this IDP.Generic threat message. Most of the false-positive cases of the IDP.Generic is due to the use of older versions of your antiviruses.

The developers of mostly all programs launch new updates every now and then to remove the bugs faced by the users of those programs. Similarly, the developers of anti-virus programs also bring out updates of the software at regular intervals.

It simply enhances their Security Check features. So if you failed to update your antivirus application then, this might be causing this false positive notification. Thus, update your anti-virus program, and if the issue still persists, then we recommend you to change your anti-virus application.

What Should I Do If I Find A False Positive?

In case when the threat seems to be a false positive, then the first thing you need to do is take the file out of the virus vault to stop it from being blocked by your anti-virus program. You can achieve this by the following steps:

Step 1: Firstly, open your Avast anti-virus program.

(These steps will also work in the case you have any antivirus application other than Avast)

Step 2: Then, go to Protection.

Go to Protection

Step 3: After that, check the Virus Chest.

Go to the Virus Chest

Step 4: Then, right-click your file.

Step 5: At last, select Restore and Add an Excursion.

Also, keep in mind to upload the file to the false-positive form to let your anti-virus know about the file and also to prevent any such false positives in the future.

What Does IDP Software Stand For?

The acronym “IDP” stands for Identity Protection. IDP software is specifically designed to protect your online identity and your system from threats that traditional antivirus software might not catch.

These threats can include spyware, ransomware, phishing scams, and more. The idea is to offer a more holistic security solution that goes beyond just identifying viruses based on their signatures.

Benefits of Using an IDP

1. Comprehensive Protection

Unlike traditional antivirus software, IDP solutions offer comprehensive protection, safeguarding against a wide range of threats, not just viruses.

2. Real-Time Monitoring

IDP software provides real-time behavioral monitoring of files, ensuring that any suspicious activity is flagged immediately.

3. Data Security

With rising concerns over data theft, IDP software often comes equipped with data encryption and secure browsing features.

4. Customizability

Advanced users can customize the software settings to get the level of protection they deem fit for their operations.

5. Reduced False Negatives

Because IDP uses heuristic methods, it is often better at catching new or “zero-day” threats that traditional antivirus software might miss.

Should I Delete IDP.Generic?

If your antivirus flags a file as IDP.Generic, it doesn’t necessarily mean the file is harmful. However, you shouldn’t ignore the warning either.

  1. Check File Source: Ensure the file is downloaded from a reputable source.
  2. Update Antivirus: Sometimes false positives can occur with outdated antivirus databases.
  3. Second Opinion: Use a different antivirus program to scan the file.
  4. Consult Forums: Check technical forums to see if others have faced a similar issue.
  5. Quarantine: If still in doubt, quarantine the file until you can confirm its safety.

What Does IDP.Generic Virus Do?

If a file flagged as IDP.Generic turns out to be a real threat, the impacts could range from data theft and unauthorized system access to rendering your system unusable. These threats often operate quietly in the background, making them hard to detect without specialized software.

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Conclusion

The IDP.Generic is usually a false positive. It occurs mainly because of outdated versions of antivirus (which you can prevent by updating your antivirus program). But in case if it is real Malware, then we suggest scanning the file completely.

You can also remove the files, which are creating the problem in your system. So, we end IDP.Generic guide here. We hope that this article is capable of answering all your queries and issues regarding IDP.Generic.

IDP.Generic is a tag that serves as a red flag, prompting you to take a closer look at a file or software. While it’s not always indicative of a virus, it’s important to exercise caution.

IDP software, on the other hand, is an essential tool in modern cybersecurity, offering a multi-layered approach to keep your system safe.

By understanding these nuances, you can better protect your digital world.