Adware (Generic)

Classification

Category :

Spyware

Type :

Adware

Platform :

W32, Android

Aliases :

Adware generic, adware.generic.[variant], gen:adware.[variant], gen:adware.heur.[variant], gen:variant.adware.[variant], Gen:variant.adware

Summary

A generic detection has identified a program or file that has code or behavior for displaying third-party advertising content.

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)?.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may allow the file to run, block it from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.

If you are aware of the risks involved in using the file and consent to its use, you may change the settings of your F-Secure security product to allow the file to run. You may also change the settings to exclude it from scanning.

Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

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.

Technical Details

Adware is software that displays advertisements on the computer to which it is installed. The advertisements may be displayed on the desktop or during a web browsing session.

Adware is often bundled with free software that provides some functionality to the user. This is especially true on mobile platforms such as Android, where developers typically rely on third-party advertising to provide users with free applications. If a user is unaware of the 'ad-supported' nature of such programs, they may cause considerable annoyance.

If the functionality provided by adware outweighs the potential inconvenience of advertisements being displayed, the user may elect to keep the adware installed.