IDP.Generic Detection: Legitimate Threat or False Positive?

IDP.Generic is an antivirus detection name commonly reported by security software, particularly Avast and AVG. While this alert can indicate serious security threats targeting identity data, it frequently triggers false positives, especially with legitimate gaming applications. This comprehensive guide explains what IDP.Generic actually means, how to determine if you’re facing a genuine threat, and proven methods to resolve both real infections and false detections.

What Does IDP.Generic Detection Actually Mean?

The IDP.Generic alert is primarily a heuristic detection that flags suspicious activities attempting to access identity-related data on your system. This designation breaks down as:

• IDP: Stands for IDentity Protection, indicating the detection targets activities attempting to access personal or sensitive information
• Generic: Indicates a non-specific detection that does not match known malware signatures but exhibits suspicious behavior patterns

When your antivirus reports this alert, it has detected a program attempting to access sensitive data storage locations, such as:

• Web browser profile folders (where passwords, cookies, and session data are stored)
• Gaming platform directories (Steam, Epic, etc.)
• Communication apps (Discord, Telegram)
• Cryptocurrency wallet locations
• System credential storage areas

While this detection commonly appears during the operation of spyware and infostealer malware, many legitimate applications also need to access these same locations for proper functionality, resulting in frequent false positives.

When Is IDP.Generic a False Alarm?

False positives with IDP.Generic detections have become widespread, particularly affecting legitimate gaming applications and development tools. According to our research and numerous user reports, the following scenarios commonly trigger false IDP.Generic alerts:

Games Frequently Triggering False IDP.Generic Alerts

Multiple games from trusted sources like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass have been incorrectly flagged as IDP.Generic threats, including:

• Cities Skylines 2 – Particularly after updates
• Valheim – Especially when accessing certain storage locations
• Empyrion: Galactic Survival – During save operations
• Demon’s Tilt – When accessing leaderboard data
• No Man’s Sky – During multiplayer functionality
• Cyberpunk 2077 – Following major updates

Other Software Commonly Affected

• Development IDEs (Visual Studio, VS Code) – When accessing project files
• Communication tools (Discord, Telegram) – During cache/login operations
• Backup software – When accessing personal data for backup
• Game launchers (Epic Games Launcher, Battle.net) – During update processes
• Browser extensions – Particularly password managers and security tools

Primary Causes of False Positives

Our technical investigation has identified several reasons why legitimate software triggers IDP.Generic detections:

1. Digital signature changes – Following updates or certificate renewals, antivirus products may not recognize the program’s new signature
2. Outdated antivirus definitions – Free antivirus versions often receive delayed updates, causing heightened false positive rates
3. Legitimate data access – Games and applications that legitimately need to access profile directories for normal functionality
4. Heuristic sensitivity – Overly aggressive behavior detection settings
5. Incomplete whitelisting – Antivirus vendors failing to properly whitelist popular applications

When IDP.Generic Indicates Real Malware

Despite the high rate of false positives, IDP.Generic detections can indicate genuine malware infections. The most common malicious programs flagged with this detection include:

• Information stealers like Lumma Stealer, RedLine, and Raccoon Stealer
• Banking trojans that attempt to harvest financial credentials
• Credential harvesters targeting passwords and authentication tokens
• Cryptocurrency wallet stealers designed to extract private keys
• Keyloggers and surveillance tools

Common Infection Vectors

Real IDP.Generic infections typically arrive through:

• Fake software cracks and keygens – Illicit software offering “free” versions of commercial applications
• Phishing campaigns – Particularly those involving fake human verification pages
• Malicious browser extensions – Appearing to offer useful functionality while stealing data
• Compromised downloads – Legitimate software downloaded from unofficial sources
• Malvertising – Deceptive ads leading to malware downloads

How to Determine If Your IDP.Generic Detection Is Real or False

When facing an IDP.Generic alert, follow this systematic approach to determine whether you’re dealing with an actual threat or a false positive:

Step 1: Context Analysis

• Timing: Did the alert appear immediately after installing or updating legitimate software?
• File location: Is the flagged file in a standard program installation directory or in a suspicious location?
• Recent actions: Have you recently downloaded files from questionable sources or clicked on suspicious links?
• Program recognition: Is the flagged executable a known application or game from a reputable developer?

Step 2: File Verification

1. Check digital signatures of the flagged file (right-click → Properties → Digital Signatures)
2. Verify file reputation using services like VirusTotal
3. Compare file hash with the official version if possible
4. Check official publisher forums to see if other users are reporting similar false positives

Step 3: Conduct a Secondary Scan

The most reliable method to distinguish between false positives and genuine threats is to perform a second-opinion scan with a different security solution. GridinSoft Anti-Malware provides comprehensive detection capabilities with a low false positive rate, making it ideal for verification purposes.

For thorough system verification:

1. Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware
2. Run a Full Scan to check for legitimate threats
3. Review detailed scan results that explain detection reasons
4. Take action based on confirmed findings

How to Address IDP.Generic Detections

For Confirmed False Positives

1. Add exclusions in your antivirus – Create exceptions for legitimate programs:
   • Avast: Menu → Settings → Protection → Exceptions
   • AVG: Menu → Settings → Components → Exceptions
   • Windows Defender: Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Add or remove exclusions
2. Update your antivirus definitions – Ensure you have the latest detection rules
3. Verify software sources – Reinstall the software from official sources if uncertain about its legitimacy
4. Report false positives – Submit reports to your antivirus vendor to improve future detection accuracy

For Genuine Malware Detections

If secondary scans confirm a real threat:

1. Remove the malware immediately – Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware’s removal capabilities to eliminate the threat
2. Conduct a full system scan – Check for additional infections or components
3. Change compromised passwords – Assume any stored credentials may have been compromised
4. Enable two-factor authentication – Add this security layer to sensitive accounts
5. Monitor accounts – Watch for unauthorized activities in financial and personal accounts

How to Prevent Future IDP.Generic Issues

Implement these preventative measures to reduce both actual infections and false positive interruptions:

• Use reputable software sources – Download programs only from official websites or legitimate stores
• Keep operating system and applications updated – Security patches address vulnerabilities that malware exploits
• Configure antivirus sensitivity appropriately – Adjust heuristic settings to balance protection with usability
• Investigate before taking action – Research alerts before immediately removing flagged files
• Implement a secondary security solution – Use on-demand scanners like GridinSoft Anti-Malware for verification
• Be cautious with browser extensions – Install only necessary extensions from verified sources
• Use strong, unique passwords – Prevent credential theft impact with distinct passwords for each service

Frequently Asked Questions

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