Bogus or Bona fide? Let’s find out! Have you been taken aback by the Antivirus window popping on your screen and announcing about a virus named IDP.ALEXA.51 jeopardizing your system? Well, IDP.Alexa.51 virus is a suspicious detection, which is pointed out by suites like AVG and Avira.
Every time the user opens the system he may encounter same warnings accompanied by slowing booting of system, RAM overun even when no heavy file is opened etc. Well such anomalous behaviour, if observed should not be taken lightly by the user.
It is often encountered by gamers today when they download games like Plant vs Zombies, Sea Monkey and play other online games. As per the researchers, it may be a false positive detection but can also be a cue about the underlying threats in the system.
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What is the IDP.ALEXA.51 Virus?
The virus also known as the Alexa virus or Alexa Trojan virus is a dangerous malware that can seriously harm your system. It was first reported in the year 2016. By far, it has no concern with the Virtual Digital Assistant of Amazon: ‘Alexa’.
Idp.alexa.51 is a virus / threat specifically detected by the anti-virus suites Avira, Avast and AVG. One must duly note that idp.alexa.51 is not standard malware: it may be a real infection or a ‘false alarm.’ There are cases where a legitimate software has been wrongly taken for virus by the above mentioned antivirus suites.
Research results show that this malware often infiltrates the system when different Flash games are installed (e.g., Plants vs. Zombies, SeaMonkey, and the like). False positive as mentioned many times may be perplexing for some folks.
Well, when a dubious file caught by an antivirus program cannot be ascertained possibly due to outdated database or so, then the AV program tags it under the category of virus, although it might be a proper authentic file.
The reports claims that Alexa virus is a ‘Trojan virus’ which barges into the system and spies out the information to hackers furtively .
How do I know if I have this virus?
The common symptoms of IDP.ALEXA.51 inhabiting your computer are:
- Reduction in the Performance of the system considerably.
- Memory and CPU crashes ,showing excessive usage of Random Access Memory although not many tasks are running.
- Blue screen interface announcing the death and unknown stall in the computer processes.
Well, since this virus as per findings disguises as a Spyware, it becomes a easy tool for Cyber Criminals to break into your system’s critical information.
You may also see a strange message of identification that prompts when the device begins or restarts. The virus is believed to impersonate as a temp or exe file in the system; as like these two :
- exe
- tmp
In addition, IDP.alexa.51 will show up with other questionable names like FileRepMalware or TrojanWin32 / Tiggre! Rfn. Rfn. Antivirus programs usually suspect these files and trigger the message to the user about it.
How did I get the Alexa Trojan virus?
The IDP.ALEXA.51 virus usually infects the systems without permission, as developers advertise it along with other apps (mostly Flash games) as a “bundle” as mentioned already afore. Developers know that users haste download and installation processes and miss steps.
Which is why data about IDP.ALEXA.51 malware is generally concealed within “Custom / Advanced” settings of these procedures which makes it easy for virus to enter. The infection also comes to your computer due to engagement on Freeware sites and private networks like Torrent.
Use of third party websites also welcomes such viruses easily. Popular Unwanted Programs designed by Cyber Criminals also carry malicious files in them, which the user accidentally might download into his system.
PUPs are likely to collect information relating to browsing tendencies (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) Impersonated malware, however, might be much more detrimental.
It often reduces system performance, misuses resources (e.g., to mine cryptocurrencies), and steals personal data (logins and passwords, banking etc) These infections can bring about significant financial losses.
Therefore, if you are using Avira, Avast, or AVG suite and it has detected the idp.alexa.51 error, it is strongly advised to take a closer look at the detected file. In addition, scan the system wholistically with another reputable anti-spyware suite to ensure that your computer is safe. The Virus may also enter via spams.
How To Get Rid Of This Virus?
Well, having a strong Antivirus software on your system is the best bet to “exterminate” such malicious programs. The following steps will help you tackle this trouble:
- A full system scan using an updated antivirus tool. If you happen to get the warning again, then the doubt of it being false positive is cleared. You’ll need to take other steps to overhaul your computer.
- You should try removing the games and softwares you recently downloaded, since the time you started to see this discrepancy of virus ruining your system.
You should delete all the temporary files of your system. For doing so simply open Run. To open Run :
Step 1 – Either use windows+R keys together or locate Run directly from the Start Menu by searching it. Then, type %temp% in the run field.
Step 2 – A folder containing many temp files will pop. Now just delete all the temp files.
This will help you eliminate cache and clean up the memory of any virus inhabiting these files.
- Trojan viruses are quite potent; they manage to corrrupt the other files of your system as well.
So, a good resort would be to go for System Restore to restore system back to a point where it was healthy and free of the virus.
How Do I avoid getting the virus again?
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some steps to keep your system in healthy state:
- Always have a backup: Should the worst happen, nothing can get you saved and running faster than having a backup of all your files & programs. Before anything else, ensure you have a regular backup system in place. Backup is always a smart option to preserve important files and resources. This rules out the possibility of anything obstructing your progress.
- Maintain a good updated antivirus program: Having a good antivirus program is must for the health and security of your system. Doing full time scans once or twice a week and quick scans every time you install a new file comes in handy for keeping the viruses at bay. Don’t forget to keep its database updated .
- Use a firewall: As a measure of defence, the firewall has the efficiency to block third parties from activating a virus on your computer. It also prevents the user from accessing any website which might remotely be unsafe and shady for the computer system.
- Never access programs from untrusted sites: Viruses also sweep into your system via infected programs available on these third party sites. Either access applications from the original source, or from a trusted website of third parties. Its recommended not to trust sites with pop up windows and ads.
- Be careful when clicking on email attachments: Viruses can enter your system through a malicious email attachment. You should as well avoid clicking the ads and attractive banners that show across the world wide web.
- Disable Popularly Unwanted Programs in your antivirus program: The Popular Unwanted Programs basically harms the system in three ways:
- Bring interfering ads to your system
- Modifying web browser as per Hijacker needs
- Steal the private data
- Keep your OS always well updated: The operating system should always be checked for updates. Updating the system adds security patches to it. This helps it remain abreast with the latest information about the Malicious files.
So even if the warning is false positive, it should not be ignored because:
The Best case Scenario: It was due to an outdated database of antivirus and after performing the scan again the system is established safe.
The Worst Case Scenario: Your system is hijacked by a Virus and is stealing up the critical information to the hacker.
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Conclusion
So its always the best thing to keep yourself updated, follow preventive measures as aforementioned and keep your system secured. Thank you for reading!
