Win64:malware-gen (Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Win64:malware-gen Removal Guide
What is Win64:malware-gen?
Win64:malware-gen – heuristic detection of some antivirus providers that is used to describe a Trojan
Win64:malware-gen is a detection name for a type of malware known as a Trojan. Trojans are among one of the most prevalent and versatile threats around, as their nature and working mechanisms can deffer vastly, although all of them have one thing in common; users get infected with a Trojan when they open a malicious file, believing that it is actually legitimate, e.g., a software crack or a spam email attachment.
In most cases, users encounter Win64:malware-gen pop-up via their security tools, most commonly, various Avast products. While most of such threats are quickly eliminated by the anti-malware, there are several issues with heuristic-based detection. For example, many users complained that legitimate files are being tagged as malicious or that the detection reoccurs on a regular basis.[1] These inconsistencies are common when it comes to generic malware analysis as Win64:malware-gen, and each of the cases which provides some types of difficulties should be investigated carefully.
Name | Win64:malware-gen |
Type | Trojan, false-positive |
Infiltration | Trojans can be spread in many different ways, including spam emails, pirated software installers, software cracks/keygens/loaders downloaded from torrent sites, malicious links, fake updates, etc. |
Capabilities | Trojans can perform a variety of malicious tasks on the infected machines, including sending spam, stealing sensitive information, taking screenshots, injecting other malware, and much more |
Risks | In most cases, the infection can lead to financial losses, infiltration of other malware, data loss, sensitive data disclosure and even identity theft |
Similar heuristics | Win32:Malware-gen, Trojan.genericKDZ, Other:Malware-gen [Trj], IDP.Generic, Trojan.Win32.Generic, etc. |
Removal | Perform a full system scan with anti-malware software |
Recovery | Reset all the installed web browsers, change passwords, monitor your online banking and fix Windows issues with tools like FortectIntego |
Anti-virus software uses several methods to detect malicious software on your computer, including signature-based, machine learning, sandboxing, application whitelisting, heuristics, etc. Win64:malware-gen belongs to the latter category. This method looks at software behavior rather than checking signatures within the database, which ensures higher detection rates and stopping of the newest malware samples.
However, due to the principle of its operation, Win64:malware-gen detection also falls victim to a relatively high rate of false-positives.[2] This means that legitimate files can get flagged as malicious as soon as it introduced to the system or after an update to security software or the detected app is applied. In such a case, it is worth making an exclusion within the security application and updating it, which would remove Win64:malware-gen from the list of malicious files.
If you have doubts about a particular file that you believe to be legitimate, you should either contact the developer of software, as well as the anti-virus and clear things out about it. Additionally, you could also perform a scan with alternative anti-malware software to check whether Win64:malware-gen Trojan detection is correct. Finally, you can also use free analysis tools like Virus Total – simply upload a file and check its detection rate.
Win64:malware-gen removal should be performed as soon as possible if the detection is not a false-positive. Trojans are particularly dangerous, as they can be equipped with an array of different functions. There are thousands of new malware samples released each day, so heuristics are one of the best ways to determine malware of such type.
In case no anti-malware software is installed on the targeted system Win64:malware-gen can cause significant damage to it, as well as the end-user. Here's what Trojans are capable of:
- Install other malware;
- Give cybercriminals a remote access via the compromised PC;
- Use the infected computer as a spam tool;
- Take screenshots;
- Steal sensitive information such as logins, banking details, Social Security Numbers, etc.;
- Deliver intrusive advertisements;
- Include the host into a botnet, etc.
Repeated detection might also occur when an anti-malware app is incapable of eliminating all the malicious files, when particular background connections are established, or when the Win64:malware-gen virus attempts to destroy the security app's functionality. In such a case, you should access Safe Mode with Networking and perform a full system scan from there.
Additionally, since Trojans are considered to be serious types of infection, you should also take care of fixing your operating system post-infection – you can use automatic tools like FortectIntego for the purpose. Additionally, since Win64:malware-gen is a Trojan, it could have stolen your personal information, so we advise you to monitor your online banking and change passwords for all your accounts.
Prevent Trojan infections by following these tips
As mentioned above, Trojans are very flexible and can perform a variety of different actions, based on what the attackers program it to do. The ramifications of a malware infection can be significant, as personal information theft can destroy credit scores, result in monetary losses, and result in identity theft/fraud. Therefore, it is extremely important to protect your computer from such infections, and there are several methods that would help you with that.
Of course, no methods can provide 100% security, as any machine can be breached if enough effort is put into it. However, the more security measures are applied, the less likely it is to happen. Thus, follow these useful tips provided by security experts from dieviren.de:[3]
- Employ powerful security software that uses various analysis methods;
- Patch your computer with the latest security updates (as well as the installed software);
- Do not download software cracks or pirated applications;
- Never allow spam email attachments to run macro function;
- Upload unknown files to free sandbox analysis services like Virus Total;
- Enable Firewall and ad-block;
- Use strong passwords for all your accounts;
- Disable Remote Desktop connection as soon as you don't need it and never use a default port for it.
Remove Win64:malware-gen if it is not a false-positive
As previously mentioned, there are several scenarios where you can encounter the Win64:malware-gen virus alert. In most cases, you should not think about it is much, as your security software should get rid of it automatically. However, difficulties arise when a legitimate file is flagged as malicious, and you should investigate further. If you are not sure whether the file is connected to malware, you should first make sure that your anti-malware is up to date. If that does not help, you should scan the device, an alternative security tool, or upload it to virustotal.com. In case it is flagged by many other AVs, you should not hesitate to remove Win64:malware-gen as soon as possible.
If, for some reason, you are unable to perform Win64:malware-gen removal smoothly, you can access Safe Mode with Networking, as we explain below. If you are experiencing repeated detection constantly, we recommend you reset all the installed web browsers and reset Chrome's Sync to ensure that malicious settings are eliminated from your Google account.
Getting rid of Win64:malware-gen. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If Win64:malware-gen is giving you troubles when trying to eliminate it, perform a full scan with anti-malware software in Safe Mode with Networking:
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Win64:malware-gen and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting malware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ Avast keeps catching Virus : Win64:Malware-gen. Avast. Official forums.
- ^ Spotlight on security: The problem with false alarms. AV-Comparatives. Independent organization that tests and assesses antivirus software.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. Cybersecurity advice and malware insights.