What Is ‘IDP.Generic’?

Computer threats are intimidating; detecting them on time is the only way to avoid damage. If you use antiviruses such as Avast or AVG, maybe you have received an ‘IDP.Generic’ threat warning. And perhaps you’re wondering what it means and what you should do. This article details ‘IDP.Generic’ threats and explains when you should get concerned. It also explains what ‘IDP.Generic’ Avast and AVG are.

What Is ‘IDP.Generic’?

An ‘IDP.Generic’ is a warning that your antivirus Identity Detection Protection(IDP) gives when it detects a potential threat from a general file. Most ‘IDP.Generic’ alerts are not from malicious sources; the antivirus detects them because they act as Trojans, malware, or virus. An ‘IDP.Generic’ can be:

• A true positive: The threat identified is real and can cause damage if it remains in the device.
• A false positive: The threat detected has no harmful effect on your device.

When your antivirus detects a threatening file, it deletes it, and you may lose crucial documents. It would be best to cross-check with another antivirus to ensure none of your files are corrupt when you get an ‘IDP.Generic’ alert.

To assess the flagged file further, you can check its location. The file is a threat if it’s in the temp folder because malware and Trojans usually end up there. Also, you can check the source and the name of the file. If the source is questionable and the name is malicious, then the ‘IDP.Generic’ alert is legit.

How to Overcome Misleading ‘IDP.Generic’ Warnings

You can help protect your device from potential dangers if you recognize ‘IDP.Generic’ threats in time. However, you don’t want to delete important documents when the ‘IDP.Generic’ alert is not legitimate. Always use the most updated antivirus program to avoid getting false alerts.

An outdated antivirus uses old definitions to flag all your files as malicious. Also, use trusted antivirus applications by researching or reading online reviews and recommendations.

What Are ‘IDP.Generic’ Notifications in Avast?

Avast is an antivirus that offers cybersecurity protection for iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, and macOS. It scans your device and blocks malware to prevent damage to your PC. It also eliminates corrupt files immediately before they cause damage.

Avast offers two plans, a free and a paid-for subscription. While the paid-for version provides total protection, the free version does not block ransomware.

‘IDP.Generic’ Avast is a threat notification that Avast antivirus gives when it detects a potential threat on your PC. While the threat can be a true positive, there are times when Avast gives false positives by deleting downloads before they run or blocking existing files.

If you assess the ‘IDP.Generic’ Avast and realize it’s a false positive, you should proceed as follows:

1. On your Avast app, click “Protection.”
   
2. Select “Virus Chest.”
   
3. Right-click the files and click “Restore.”
   

Doing so prevents Avast from blocking the files. To avoid such instances, you should use the latest version of Avast.

If ‘IDP.Generic’ Avast blocks a download, and if you’re sure it’s not malicious, you can continue the download as follows:

1. Open Avast and go to “Protection.”
   
2. Double-click “Virus Chest” to find a history of all intercepted files.
   
3. Select “Add File” and click “Restore and Add Exception” to restore the file to its download location.
   

What Are ‘IDP.Generic’ Notifications in AVG?

AVG is an antivirus that protects your PC and Android devices from malicious attacks threatening your privacy. It offers security features for apps, downloads, links, and files.

AVG gives an ‘IDP.Generic’ threat alert when it detects anything that can jeopardize your device, including viruses, Trojans, and malware. It runs in the background of your mobile or PC and shows you all the corrupt files so you don’t click them by mistake.

Like Avast, ‘IDP.Generic’ found by AVG can also be a false positive. It can detect secure files as malicious and block them. Using an updated version of AVG software can reduce such instances. It’s also worth assessing each false positive using other antiviruses to evaluate the flagged file.

What Is an ‘IDP.Generic’ Threat?

An ‘IDP.Generic’ threat is a file that cyber criminals disguise as legitimate, but it infects your device and destroys your files. Antiviruses are essential as they help detect and eliminate such threats before they cause any damage.

Types of ‘IDP.Generic’ Threats

• Virus: A computer virus is a threat that adds malicious code that, when run, replicates into more that spreads to other programs or files. This disrupts the normal functioning of programs, and your device becomes unusable over time.
• Malware: Refers to software designed to disrupt a computer network, leaking confidential information or blocking users from accessing important information. It poses a privacy and security threat.
• Trojan: A Trojan is a threat that mimics a legitimate app or software but leads to harmful files. Cybercriminals conceal it, and unsuspecting users end up falling into the trap.

How to Remove ‘IDP.Generic’ True Positive

If you assess an ‘IDP.Generic’ alert and find it is a true positive, you should immediately eliminate the flagged file or application, or it’ll corrupt your system. Here is what you should do:

• Restart your computer in Safe Mode to prevent malicious files and apps from running automatically.
• If it’s a file, delete it permanently.
• If it’s an app, uninstall it.
• Reset your browser to default if it’s lagging.

Is ‘IDP.Generic’ Bad?

Using the internet daily exposes you to threats you may not suspect until your antivirus points it out. If ‘IDP.Generic’ threats go unnoticed, they can ruin your files and cause you to lose them.

‘IDP.Generic’ is not bad. It draws your attention to files you need to assess whether they are legit. While, in some instances, an antivirus can give you a false positive, you stay away from the risk of hosting an ‘IDP.Generic’ threat. And if a flagged file is safe, you can exempt it from antivirus scanning.

How To Avoid ‘IDP.Generic’ Notifications

It can get overwhelming if you get a threat notification whenever you want to use software or an application. So, you should know how to avoid threats and get a seamless internet experience. Here are some preventive measures you can take:

Download Apps and Software From the Owner’s Site

While some third-party sites sell software at a lower price than the owner, they come with threats that target to destroy your device. Downloading an app or software from a legit owner protects your security and privacy.

Avoid Pop-Up Ads

The internet keeps algorithms of things you like and your searches. While surfing, you’ll get tempting ads that lure you into clicking them, but you should not do it as they can carry cyber threats. Alternatively, you can download ad blockers to minimize potential risks.

Use the Latest Version of Antivirus

Outdated antivirus can flag most files as ‘IDP.Generic’ threats. Stay updated to avoid false positives and the hassle of assessing your devices.

Now You Know

You get ‘IDP.Generic’ notifications when your antivirus detects an available file as a threat. The threats are common in third-party antiviruses such as Avast and AVG. While some alerts are not harmful, some can cause damage to your computer. If you get such an alert, you should evaluate the flagged file using a different antivirus to ascertain whether it’s a threat. You can uninstall the existing one and add a new one or access an antivirus website to perform an online scan while preserving your existing software.