Firefox setup detected as trojan horse Dropper.Generic8.BMWS by AVG when moving to folder
I was cleaning up my desktop by moving my unused files to organized folders, example being OriginalGameName being dragged into Games; and I happened to have an AVG virus scan running in the backround at the same time. I created a folder named installers, and dragged in Firefox_Setup.exe first. AVG immediately launched a warning window, saying it was a trojan and giving me an option to remove it.
Of course, why would the installer of my favourite internet browser include a Trojan Horse? I mean, my Firefox browser works fine and I also just so happen to be posting this on Firefox.
I was instantly suspicious, and opened up SpyBot Search & Destroy and scanned. No results, so the AVG window seemed to be safe. I clicked the option on the AVG window to remove the alleged Trojan Horse, then scanned again with SpyBot to make sure that it wasn't the type of fake AVG warning window's that installs a trojan after an option is chosen.
So yes, I'm sure that I haven't gotten a fake AVG warning. And yes, I downloaded the installer from the site.
I am also rather paranoid about virus's, and I have two different antivirus's that I scan with every time I visit a unfamiliar website or download anything and I am generally wary when browsing the internet. I know I've given a large amount of information, but I'm trying to save you from having to ask a million questions about the information I left out. I know there's a post similar to this, but I feel that the other post didn't include enough information leading to unsatisfactory answers. Info dump over.
Chosen solution
Yes, you should first immediately update your Firefox to 23. That's crucial.
This sounds like you got a virus hit on an old installer you had sitting around? If you downloaded this installer from a mozilla.org server, then this is a false positive. They happen from time to time, various anti-viruses will occasionally flag a Firefox file as a virus when it isn't really. Normally it clears up quickly. You can just delete that old installer, update Firefox, and be good to go.
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You can find the full version of the latest Firefox 23.0 release in all languages and for all Operating Systems here:
If a Firefox setup file downloaded here is still detected as malware then this is a false positive.
There appear to have been other reports:
mcafee seems to be flagging the stub installer as a virus
Modified by cor-el
Chosen Solution
Yes, you should first immediately update your Firefox to 23. That's crucial.
This sounds like you got a virus hit on an old installer you had sitting around? If you downloaded this installer from a mozilla.org server, then this is a false positive. They happen from time to time, various anti-viruses will occasionally flag a Firefox file as a virus when it isn't really. Normally it clears up quickly. You can just delete that old installer, update Firefox, and be good to go.
Haha, thanks. I also can't help to notice that AVG doesn't pickup on as many malware infected files then SpyBot and does create a bit of panic from time to time. I thought it was an error of some kind, so far Firefox has given me no issues.