A generic detection has identified a program or file that has code or behavior similar to trojans.
Security programs use generic detections that look for broad patterns of code or behavior to identify similar programs or files. If you suspect the file was incorrectly detected, go to: Removal: Suspect a file is incorrectly detected (a False Positive)?.
Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may block the file from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.
A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:
Check for the latest database updates
First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.
Submit a sample
After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.
Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.
Exclude a file from further scanning
If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.
Named after the Trojan Horse of Greek legend, a trojan is a program or file that has, or appears to have, a useful or desirable function to encourage the user to install the program or open the file. For example, it may appear to be a screensaver, a service pack, an application update and so on.
When the program is installed or the file is launched however, it will silently perform unauthorized actions (its payload) in the background.
Trojans rely on tricking the user into believing that the program is authentic, so that they unwittingly install the program themselves.
To do this, most trojans mimic or entirely copy the style and branding of popular legitimate programs or files. Some trojans (particularly on the Android platform) are actually copies of legitimate apps that have been repackaged or trojanized to include harmful components.
Once installed or opened, the trojan may perform its promised function, or display a decoy document to distract the user. In the background however, it also silently performs unauthorized actions (its payload), without the user's knowledge or consent.
Depending on its creator's intent, a trojan's payload can range from:
It is often very difficult for users to realize that a trojan is performing harmful actions, as they are usually well camouflaged to keep the system from triggering any notification messages that might arouse the user's suspicions.
Generic detections may also flag program files that have been cracked or modified to remove or disable certain features, such as copyright or software protection features. Cracked files are most commonly related to popular games or productivity applications. In most countries, the distribution of cracked files is illegal.