Mystery file reported as no threat

Hi @claudiubotezatu​,

The No threats found with random letters, numbers, and characters pop-ups are because of Chrome browser download updates. Trend Micro is giving assurance to users that these downloaded updates are safe through the pop-ups. Users will not get any download notification again if they click Do not show this again. 

Trend Micro will truly block any malicious files downloaded as securing one's online journey is our purpose.

- TM_Kath

@tm_kath​ 

"Trend Micro is giving assurance to users that these downloaded updates are safe through the pop-ups"

Hello tm_kath

Most , if not all antiviruses, will issue a pop-up is something ir wrong /detected , not when something is right.

There is no point in confusing the users with a message "No threads found"

If a thread is being found, the user will get anyway a warning.

@tm_kath​ This sounds like speculation. Have you any evidence to support the contention that cd49725f-0221-4cf3-85d3-ca9e68d2c2df is, in fact, a Google Chrome update?

Perhaps a better popup message would be "No threats found in the latest Google Chrome update."  

Hi @phillight2000​,

The findings by our Developers are based on the analyzed logs where the popup message also appears. 

Thanks for your suggestion for improving the message, we'll pass it on to our Developers.

- TM_Kath

@tm_rochelle​ 

Sorry, just now seeing this. 

Version:  17.7.1472

There is no error message - just a little Trend popup in the lower-right of the screen that says something to the effect that no thread was detected in a file with a very long filename. Maddeningly, it only appears for a second or two and then disappears. It's so fast (and rare) that I haven't been able to screen-capture it or even read it carefully. Is there a log of such notifications?

And, thanks.

Hi agrier1972,

I have sent you an email where we can continue the troubleshooting, please confirm if you have received it. Thanks!

Awaiting for your response.

- TM_Angelo

What was the outcome of this?

@agrier1972​ Hi, sorry for the long delay in answering. This is not resolved. I am still getting these alerts every day or two - but it's just too brief to react to it or even read it carefully.

Hi, aekerek and phillight2000.

These detections might be coming from the hash values of your downloaded files or extensions. Rest assured that your devices are safe.

For better investigation, are you able to check the exact location of these files? Let us know in case you have any idea. You can also check if these files are on your Downloads folder.

By the way, I emailed both of you. Let us assist you from there.
 

- TM_Kim

@tm_kim​ 

Hi, I am not able to tell where they are coming from nor am I able to located where the files went. They only show up in the pop up window and no other location.

We understand your frustrations, phillight2000 and agrier1972.

We would like to further investigate your case. Kindly send us a reply and let us assist you from there.

- TM_Kim

Hi @fedebuch​ and Community members,

Welcome to Trend Micro Home Users Community!

Notifications you receive are ways of the Trend Micro program to let you know that the files you downloaded are safe. 

The notifications should only appear when you download a file. To check if this is caused by browser scripts, please try to clear your browser cache and let us know the result.

Here's a guide on how to clear browser cache:

How to clear web browser cache on Windows

If you would like to stop seeing this pop-up, you may click the Do not show this again hyperlink when it appears.

To further investigate what causes the issue, we'll be glad if you can provide the following information:
- Browser you are using:
- Website you visiting or activities on your computer when the notification appears:

- TM_Kath

Hi Kath,

Thank you for your reply. I actually want to keep seeing that pop-up, but only when I download an actual file. As mentioned by others above, the issue is that it's showing up when we're not downloading anything. (Even if I did want to stop seeing the pop-up, it comes and goes so fast that there's no time to click the 'Do not show this again' hyperlink.)

Please read phillight2000's post above from 14 days ago for more details. I'm experiencing exactly the same as them.

I'm using Chrome Version 103.0.5060.134 (Official Build) (64-bit). There are no specific websites where the pop-up shows up, it's just random.

@tm_kath​ The problem is that this event is timed to be so brief that there is barely time to read it, let alone respond.  Is there, or is there not a log file somewhere that records these alerts so that they can be investigated thoroughly? It's as if, several times a day, you hear someone yell "Look out!," but never learn what the threat is. I typically have 10 or more tabs open in one or two instances of Chrome. Most of them are business-related pages, like Google Drive directories, Zoom-meeting windows, Yahoo Mail, or Gmail.  But it varies. I "clear my cache" regularly, and this has no effect on this phenomenon.    My question stands. Where are these security alerts logged? If they are not, why not?

Hi @fedebuch and @phillight2000,

Let us further investigate what causes the issue. 

Kindly observe and let us know what specific website is open when the notification appears?

Can you also please check if there are any unfinished downloads when the notification appears?

1. Check if there are recently downloaded files.
2. Get the file name and link where the file is being downloaded.

- TM_Kath

@phillight2000, there are no logs of the notifications because the purpose of these notifications is just to let you know that the files downloaded on your device are safe.

We can take your query as feedback and will pass it to our Developers. Cheers!

- TM_Kath

Hi @phillight2000,

We appreciate your time in sharing your experience.

It truly requires time and effort to gather the information we requested. Gathering of information needed is now up to investigate what causes the issue.

We'll keep you posted for any updates.

- TM_Kath

Well, one issue is to write the software better so it provides meaningful alerts instead of secretive warning flashes that aren't helpful in looking for the problem. Or even determining IF there is a problem.

Hi @phillight2000 and Community members,

We are now investigating what causes the issue. We'll let you know if there will be any updates. Cheers!

- TM_Kath

@tm_kath​ Thanks very much. Standing by.

@phillight2000, we'll keep you updated!

- TM_Kath

@tm_kath​ 

Hello, 

My PC has been getting unwanted downloaded file(s) and Trend Micro continues to flag them as healthy / ok files. 

I will be trying the fix above, but I don't think these files are downloaded from [only] Chrome. I was using a Application (Github Desktop) and while uploading files, it decided to unexpectedly download a unwanted file. 
This is not the first time. I was using another application (Discord) and while using it, my PC downloaded another unwanted file that trend micro flag as ok. 
These files are clearly not ok to be downloaded since there are nowhere to be found. 

It would be great to have a feature where trend micros console gives you the option to view downloaded files. At least the ones it flagged. 

For reference, attached is a screenshot of the unwanted file(s) that keep downloading without user permission.
Seems like everyone else here may be having a similar issue. 

@tm_kath​

Hello,

I have not seen the pop-ups for a couple of days, but when I started my Google this morning two random numbers popped up. At that point, there was nothing I could do to catch the numbers. So, I started to the don't allow sites fix and right afterward, the pop-up came up. I was unable to take a picture because I was looking at the instructions on how to do it again from my previous computer. I will definitely monitor it to see if it comes up again. 

Hi @setthestage18 & @ag1972 ,

Welcome to Trend Micro Home Users Community!

Thanks for letting us know about your experience. We are now checking other possible reasons for the issue. We'll keep you updated.

- TM_Kath

I am also getting this same message every day. The TM suggested Chrome setting solution above didn't work. I'm assuming this is a TM bug which has still not been resolved, correct ?

@mistergee2​ 

Spoke too soon. The download notifications returned. Well, I guess you can only click the "Do not show again" option in these notifications and hope it goes away. Meanwhile, Chrome continues the download mystery files automatically, and that's just fine because we all know we can trust Google. ;>