Also called HEUR.Trojan.Win32.Generic, Trojan.Win32.Generic is a very generic name of a threat. If an anti-malware tool detects a threat named like this, it only means that your system has been infected with a RAT, a Trojan virus, a ransomware entity, a cryptominer, or other high-risk entities.
Do you know what’s common among all these entities? They all cause serious issues, including financial and data losses. But what does this Trojan do?
What Does Trojan.Win32.Generic Do?
The moment this Trojan attacks a device, it will steal any information it can get from a victim’s computer. Sometimes, it will also show ransom notes that demand the victims to pay a certain amount for decrypting files or restoring the documents.
How Did Your Device Get Infected?
Are you wondering how this malicious entity has infected your device? The answer is simple. It could be acquired via phishing emails or it may come as a consequence for downloading software bundles from unsecured websites.
A Trojan.Win32.Generic Removal Guide
Knowing what this malware entity can do, you may probably ask, “How to Remove Trojan.Win32.Generic?”
Well, you have the option to remove it manually or automatically. However, we highly recommend the latter option as it is safer and won’t waste your time. All you need to do is use your favorite anti-malware tool and let it do the job for you.
Now, if you really wish to manually remove Trojan.Win32.Generic, the first thing you should do is to identify what malware entity it is that you are trying to remove. For this, you will need to use Task Manager to identify any suspicious program. After that, continue with the steps below:
- Download the program called Autoruns. This program will display file system locations, Registry, and other auto-start applications.
- Restart your PC into Safe Mode with Networking. Press the Windows key and click the Power icon. In the menu that opens, choose Restart. While at it, press and hold the Shift key. The Choose an Option window should then appear. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options. Next, go to Startup Settings and hit Restart. Click the F5 button to restart Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.
- While in Safe Mode with Networking, run the Autoruns.exe file. Simply double-click on it.
- In the Autoruns window, select Options. Navigate to the top-most portion of the screen and uncheck the Hide Windows Entries and Hide Empty Locations options. After this, hit Refresh.
- Review the list provided by the application and find the malware entity you wish to remove. Take note of its complete name and path. It is worth noting, though, that some malware entities hide process names under genuine and legitimate Windows processes. So, it is very important that you do not remove a system file. Once you have located the malicious program, right-click on it and select Delete.
- Once the malware entity has been removed, go to the search field on your desktop and search for the name of the malware. If you find it, make sure to remove it right away.
- Reboot your PC in normal mode.
The steps above should get rid of any malicious entity from your computer. However, if you do are not confident with your computer skills, leave the malware removal task to anti-malware programs.
The Next Steps to Take
Now that you have removed the Trojan.Win32.Generic malware from your computer, make sure no other entities can infiltrate your device. You can do this by installing reliable antivirus programs and running regular malware scans.
Also, to avoid any potential infection, avoid clicking on spam emails. Do not download software programs from unsecured sites as well. If you really have to, make sure to choose the custom installation option so you know what other files come bundled with your download.
Want more PC repair tips and tricks? Feel free to check out other articles we have onsite.