Generic Detection

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Other

Aliases :

Generic.malware.[variant], Generic.[variant], gen:win32.malware.[variant], Gen:variant.

Summary

A generic detection has identified a program or file that has features or behaviors similar to known harmful programs, such as trojans, backdoors or exploits.

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 will either move the file 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.

Technical Details

Detections are patterns of code or behavior that security software can use to identify files or programs. When the security product runs a scan, it compares all scanned files against a database of detections. If any of the files being scanned matches a detection, it is flagged for further attention.

Generic detections usually identify patterns of suspicious or harmful code or actions, which indicate that that the program or file is a form of malware. The name of the generic detection will often indicate the reason why the program or file was flagged:

The program or file performed, or can perform, harmful actions.

Examples of generic detections that do this include:

  • Trojan:W32/Generic.54d3666c93!Online
  • Gen:Variant.Graftor.461736
  • Trojan.GenericKD.12755618
  • Gen:Trojan.Heur.LP.gmCaaioO@Jm1

The program or file has code that is very similar to known harmful programs.

Examples of generic detections that do this include:

Once a program or file is flagged, the security program will usually take action, either as a precaution or to handle the file directly. The specific action taken depends on the type of file, and the settings of your security program. For example, a trojan may be deleted while a monitoring-tool may be blocked.

If you suspect the detected file has been incorrectly identified, go to: Removal: Suspect a file is incorrectly detected (a False Positive)?.

Special cases: Crack files and temporary Exchange Database (.EDB) files

Crack files

A crack file is a specially-crafted program that is used to bypass the protection mechanisms of recently released games and other popular applications.

While not strictly harmful, in some countries such files may be considered illegal. In addition, such files may be distributed bundled together with other unsolicited or outrightly malicious files.

Temporary Exchange Database (.EDB) files

Temporary mailbox data files that use the .EDB file extension and are stored at the 'C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\' location (they would typically be named 'tmp.edb' or similar) may be unintentionally detected by various security programs from time to time if they behave in a similar manner to known malware.