HiddenObject.Multi.Generic

Posted: May 16, 2014

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	9/10
Infected PCs:	70

First Seen:	May 16, 2014
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

HiddenObject.Multi.Generic is a detection name for hidden files that have exhibited suspicious behavior. Although not always threatening, a HiddenObject.Multi.Generic detection may be a potential security problem, particularly when warnings for them are occurring along with other symptoms. Since a real HiddenObject.Multi.Generic detection may be related to the presence of one or more multi-component threats, you should resolve recurring HiddenObject.Multi.Generic pop-ups with the inclusion of anti-malware utilities able to scan your PC and detect all threats that may be present.

Why the Files You don't See Still may Hurt You

HiddenObject.Multi.Generic is used to identify files that you are unable to see from the Windows Explorer's default view that may include potentially hostile functions. The effective 'invisibility' of a specified file may extend to related directories and sub-directories also being undetectable through Windows Explorer, although alternate methods, such as the Command Prompt, sometimes may supersede these limitations. In many cases, HiddenObject.Multi.Generic is not used to identify a hostile program, but rather, legitimate applications that may be exploited by threats. Examples of these programs most commonly include those with data-recording features, such as taking screenshots or logging keyboard input.

The above security issues may be seen as just one branch of a multiple-file threat, such as a banking Trojan, backdoor Trojan or other module-based threats. In the worst scenarios, it may result in the collection of information or other breaches of your computer's security. However, malware researchers also see detections of HiddenObject.Multi.Generic reoccurring as a result of conditions prone to instigating false positives. These false positives, or unintentionally accurate alerts, are particularly frequent in the following scenarios:

Some file-hiding utilities with beneficial uses may have their hidden files mistakenly flagged with the HiddenObject.Multi.Generic label.
Software that updates during a system scan may modify files while your anti-malware tools are scanning them. Such behavior may result in a flag for suspicious activity, even if the update process is automatic.
Using other programs during a system scan also may provoke HiddenObject.Multi.Generic warnings, due to file modifications or the creation of new files. The above especially is true for Web browsers, which may create temporary files while displaying Web pages.
Outdated versions of Kaspersky utilities also may produce occasional HiddenObject.Multi.Generic warnings for benign files. In most cases, updating the relevant programs may eliminate these errors.

Categorizing an Object as Safe or Hostile to Your PC

Due to their frequent appearances as false positives, HiddenObject.Multi.Generic warnings require some discretion on the part of the person at the keyboard. If your anti-malware tools are out-of-date or you have been indulging in activities that could interfere with their scans, then you should consider HiddenObject.Multi.Generic warnings to be potentially inaccurate, in many circumstances. To allow your anti-malware programs to have the best accuracy possible, malware experts recommend avoiding multitasking during system scans, along using programs with fully updated threat databases.

Nonetheless, the potential for HiddenObject.Multi.Generic to be related to actual threatening software never should be ignored. If there is no motive to have a feeling that a HiddenObject.Multi.Generic alert is incorrect, all appropriate anti-malware procedures should be put into play to disinfect your PC, irrespective of any other symptoms.

HiddenObject.Multi.Generic

Threat Metric

Why the Files You don't See Still may Hurt You

Categorizing an Object as Safe or Hostile to Your PC

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