Issue abstract: Norton showing powershell.exe infected with IDP.Generic/IDP.HELU.PSS53
Detailed description:
I am using a VPN service called Pandafan (www.pandafan.zone). Because I work in China, this software allows me to use services like Google and YouTube. However, Pandafan recently had an update, and after the update, when I run it on Windows 11, Norton pops up with an alert and blocks Pandafan.exe, which prevents me from using Pandafan, and at that point, I can’t access Google normally. When I try turning off Norton’s ‘Proactive Protection,’ Pandafan works normally again. Why is this happening, and is there a way to fix it?
Hello @Lucas.C
Do you trust PandaFan?
Did you submit False Positive report?
Did you try adding Antivirus and Scans exclusions…if you trust PandaFan & disagree with Norton detection?
=====================================
AI Mode
If Norton flags powershell.exe with IDP.Generic/IDP.HELU.PSS53, it is most likely a false positive, especially after a recent Windows update. This happens because PowerShell is a legitimate system tool that malware can sometimes exploit, causing Norton’s heuristic (behavioral) detection to get a false alarm.
What the alert means
IDP.Generic: “IDP” stands for Identity Protection, and “Generic” indicates that your antivirus detected suspicious, non-specific behavior rather than a known malware signature.
IDP.HELU.PSS53: This is a specific code used by Norton’s heuristic engine. The letters “HELU” and “PSS” likely refer to the type of suspicious behavior that was detected—in this case, related to the PowerShell script (PSS).
Powershell.exe: This is the executable file for Windows PowerShell, a command-line shell and scripting language built into Windows.
Why this is likely a false positive
Recent Windows updates: Security software often becomes oversensitive to new, legitimate system file versions following an OS update. This is a common cause of false positives with heuristic detection.
Behavioral detection: The IDP (Identity Protection) component in Norton is designed to look for suspicious behavior. Since malicious software can use PowerShell for its own purposes, Norton may flag legitimate scripts or processes if their behavior appears to resemble malware.
Community reports: Users frequently report similar false alarms from Norton after a Windows update, specifically with PowerShell and the IDP.HELU identifier.
What you should do
Run a second-opinion scan: To confirm it is a false positive, use a reliable second scanner. A good option is Malwarebytes, which offers a free scan and can provide a different perspective from Norton. If the other scanner doesn’t detect a threat, it’s almost certainly a false positive.
Restore the file in Norton: If Norton quarantined powershell.exe, you will need to restore it to prevent issues with your system.
Open your Norton product and navigate to the Security History or Quarantine section.
Find the powershell.exe entry flagged as IDP.Generic or IDP.HELU.PSS53.
Select the file and choose the option to Restore it.
Add an exclusion: After restoring the file, add an exclusion in Norton to prevent it from being flagged again.
In your Norton settings, go to Antivirus > Scans and Risks.
Under Exclusions, configure the list of items to exclude from scans.
Add the full path for powershell.exe, which is typically C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe.
Update Norton: Make sure your Norton antivirus software is fully updated to the latest version. This will ensure it has the most current virus definitions and may fix bugs that cause false positives.
Restart your computer: Always restart your PC after resolving a quarantined file to ensure all changes are fully applied.
Note: AI Mode content may be Norton v22
------------------------------------
The most reliable way to check if a file flagged by Norton is a false positive is to submit it to a third-party multi-engine scanner like VirusTotal. You should also send it to Norton for analysis and perform a second-opinion scan with a different antivirus program.
Scan with VirusTotal
VirusTotal is a free service that scans a file with over 70 different antivirus scanners at once. If only one or two scanners flag the file—especially if it’s a known system file like powershell.exe—it’s likely a false positive.
Locate the quarantined file. In your Norton app, navigate to Security > History. Filter by “Quarantine” to find the item. Restore the file to a safe location. To access the file for uploading, you will need to restore it. Choose Restore & Exclude so that Norton doesn’t re-quarantine it. Restore it to a temporary, well-known location, like your Downloads folder. Upload the file to VirusTotal. Go to www.virustotal.com. Click the File tab, then Choose file. Select the file you just restored and click Confirm Upload. Review the results. Look at the report to see how many and which antivirus engines flagged the file. A single alert from Norton, particularly an IDP (Identity Protection) alert, is a strong indicator of a false positive.
Perform a second-opinion scan
Using a different antivirus program can provide independent confirmation. Malwarebytes offers a free version that is excellent for on-demand scanning and is known as a good “second opinion” tool.
Download and install the free version of Malwarebytes from their official website. Launch the program and click the Scan button to perform a Threat Scan. Check the results. If Malwarebytes does not detect any threats on the file that Norton flagged, it further supports the conclusion that the file is a false positive.
Submit the file to Norton for analysis
This helps resolve the issue for other users and ensures future updates will not flag the legitimate file.
Go to the Norton Submission Portal at submit.norton.com.
Select the “Incorrectly Detected by Norton (False Positive)” option. Fill out the submission form, including your email address and a brief description of why you believe the file is safe. Upload the file. Attach the file that you restored from quarantine earlier. Check for updates. Norton’s Security Response team will analyze the file and release a new definition update within about 48 hours to correct any mistake.
Note: AI Mode content may be Norton v22
==================================
Norton 360 v25 → Quarantine offers Extract. I’ve used Extract to upload samples to VirusTotal.
AI Mode
An update to Pandafan likely triggered Norton’s “Proactive Protection” feature, causing it to block the application. This feature uses a form of behavioral analysis to identify and block suspicious program activity, even from applications it hasn’t detected before.
VPN clients, especially those with less name recognition, are more likely to be flagged as potential risks for several reasons:
Behavioral Red Flags: By design, VPN software creates encrypted network tunnels, changes network settings, and redirects internet traffic. This activity is uncommon for most desktop applications, and some of Norton’s security tools may interpret this behavior as malicious.
Code Changes: A recent update, such as the one to Pandafan, can change how the program interacts with your network. This makes it look like a new application to Norton, which then treats it as an unknown and potentially dangerous threat.
Lack of Reputation: Norton’s security is partly based on the reputation of files and applications. If the updated Pandafan.exe is new and has not yet been “whitelisted” by Norton, it may be blocked until it is verified.
Jurisdiction Concerns: Some VPNs have unclear origins. In the past, other Panda-branded VPNs have raised concerns due to potentially misleading information about their location (claiming to be in privacy-friendly Seychelles while reportedly having ties to China). This lack of transparency can lead to more aggressive blocking by security software.
How to fix this issue
To allow Pandafan to run without disabling Norton’s protections, you can add an exception for the application in your Norton settings.
Open Norton 360: Double-click the Norton icon in your system tray or search for it in your Start Menu. Go to Settings: Click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open the settings. Find Firewall: Navigate to the “Firewall” settings. Open Program Rules: Go to the “Program Rules” tab. This is where you can see which applications Norton is controlling. Add the Pandafan executable:
Locate the Pandafan.exe application in the list.
Change its setting from “Block” to “Allow”.
If you don’t see it, you may need to add it manually by clicking “Add Program” and browsing to the Pandafan installation folder to select the executable file. Apply and Restart: Apply the changes. It is a good practice to close and restart Pandafan, and in some cases, reboot your computer, for the new rule to take effect.
This process tells Norton that you trust the Pandafan application and overrides its proactive block without leaving your system vulnerable by turning off all protection.
AI Mode
The Norton alert is triggered because the Pandafan VPN client is running a script via the Windows program powershell.exe . Norton’s heuristic or behavioral-based scanner, known as Identity Protection (IDP), flags this activity as suspicious, labeling the threat as IDP.Generic or IDP.HELU.PSS53. This often results in a “false positive” detection for legitimate software.
This type of warning can occur with legitimate VPN clients and system tools for a few reasons:
Behavioral Red Flag: By design, VPN software manipulates network connections to create encrypted tunnels, which can be interpreted as suspicious network behavior by security software.
Code Changes: A recent software update, like the one you mentioned, can make a program appear new and unknown to an antivirus program. Norton may then block it until it has established a reputation as safe.
Lack of Reputation: The VPN service you are using, Pandafan, does not have the reputation of a major provider. Combined with a new program update, this increases the chance of it being flagged as a threat.
Potential security risks
While it is possible the alert is a harmless false positive, the situation carries security risks that you should consider carefully, especially given your location.
Trust and ownership concerns: There are reports about Panda-branded VPNs having questionable ties to China, despite claiming to be based elsewhere. A lack of transparency about a VPN’s ownership raises significant privacy concerns, particularly for users in China.
Malicious activity: The Norton detection code IDP.HELU.PSS53 specifically indicates a potential script-based malware threat. Although it may be a false alarm, there is a risk that the Pandafan update contains malware that is attempting to run PowerShell scripts with malicious intent.
Recommended actions
You should strongly consider switching to a more reliable and independently audited VPN, as the risk of using Pandafan may outweigh the benefits. For users in China, reputable VPNs with proven obfuscation technology are highly recommended.
If you choose to continue using Pandafan, proceed with caution and take these steps to resolve the issue:
Add an exception in Norton: Create an exception for Pandafan.exe to stop Norton from blocking it.
Open Norton 360 and navigate to Settings > Firewall > Program Rules.
Find the Pandafan executable and change its setting to “Allow”.
If you still have issues, you may also need to go to Settings > Antivirus > Scans and Risks and add the file path to the “Items to Exclude from Scans” list.
Fully scan your system: Before adding an exception, run a full system scan with Norton to check for any other infections that may have been delivered. If you find other threats, do not proceed with using Pandafan.
Use a different VPN: If possible, try a different, reputable VPN service to see if you get similar alerts. If another VPN does not trigger a Norton warning, it increases the likelihood that the Pandafan alert is a legitimate threat.
Developers: Unknown
Version: 2.1.2
Identified: 10/30/25,
Last Used: 10/30/25,
Very few
Very few in the Norton Community have used this file.
Very new
This file was released 17 hours ago.
Unproven
There is not enough information about this file to recommend it.
Downloaded from: https://xconf2.oss-accelerate.aliyuncs.com/panda/dl/client/win/PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe
Caveat: I’m not familiar with PandaFan
fwiw ~ my Norton and Malwarebytes do not detect PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe installer.
Note: I’ve not tested PandaFan installed.
Note: PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe installer is not signed.
AI Mode
Navigating the internet in China requires careful consideration of security and privacy, as the government heavily censors and restricts web traffic through its “Great Firewall”. Identifying a trustworthy VPN is critical, as free or unreliable services can expose your data or fail to bypass censorship reliably. The recent Norton alert about the Pandafan VPN is a stark example of a provider with questionable reputation and potential risks.
Here is how to identify a trustworthy VPN for use in China, focusing on key features, transparency, and reputation.
Key features to look for Obfuscation technology
This is the most critical feature, as it disguises VPN traffic to look like regular internet traffic, preventing Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) by the Great Firewall. Without this, a VPN will be easily detected and blocked.
How it works: Obfuscation adds a layer of encryption to hide the metadata that identifies VPN traffic.
Examples: Some providers use proprietary technology like ExpressVPN’s Lightway or Astrill’s StealthVPN, while others use standardized protocols designed for obfuscation.
Verified no-logs policy
A trustworthy VPN provider will have an independently audited “no-logs” policy, proving that it does not collect or store user activity data. This is especially important for users in China, as it prevents authorities from seizing logs to identify users.
Government-approved VPNs: Be extremely wary of government-approved VPNs in China, which are legally required to provide logs and network access to authorities. For privacy, these should be avoided.
Robust security features
A VPN should offer standard and advanced security protections.
Kill switch: This feature automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your IP address and data from being exposed.
Strong encryption: Look for standard, robust encryption, such as AES-256.
Leak protection: Ensure the provider protects against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, which can reveal your real location.
RAM-only servers: These servers wipe all data with every reboot, providing an additional layer of privacy.
Servers and performance
Connectivity and speed are essential, especially when battling advanced censorship.
Nearby servers: Fast connection speeds are best achieved by connecting to servers in nearby countries like Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, or Hong Kong.
Large network: A larger network of servers helps circumvent IP-blocking by the Chinese government, as providers can quickly replace blocked IPs.
Responsive customer support
Given the frequent blocking of VPN services in China, 24/7 customer support is crucial for troubleshooting connectivity issues.
Contact methods: Since VPN websites are often blocked, the provider should offer support via email or a similar method that doesn’t require access to their main site.
Trustworthy VPN candidates for use in China
Based on these criteria, several providers have demonstrated a better track record for users in highly censored regions.
ExpressVPN: Widely recommended for China due to its reliability, strong security features, and proprietary obfuscation technology.
NordVPN: Works in China using its obfuscated servers and proprietary NordLynx protocol. It has a proven no-logs policy and solid privacy features.
Surfshark: Another strong contender, especially known for allowing unlimited simultaneous connections. Its Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) is effective at bypassing censorship.
Astrill VPN: A long-standing favorite among expats in China, known for its powerful StealthVPN protocol. However, it is one of the pricier options.
Steps for identifying and verifying a VPN
Prioritize providers with a proven track record: Stick to well-known providers that are consistently reviewed as working reliably in China. Avoid new or free VPNs, as they are less likely to have the resources for advanced obfuscation and robust security.
Verify the no-logs policy: Before you sign up, ensure the VPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited. Look for a report or statement from a third-party security firm.
Check for necessary features: Confirm that the VPN offers advanced features like obfuscation and a kill switch, which are critical for staying secure in a heavily censored environment.
Download and set up before you arrive: Most VPN websites are blocked in China. You must download and install the software before you enter the country.
Use a mirror link: Some providers offer “mirror” websites or links to their download pages that are harder for the government to detect and block. This is useful for getting the latest software updates.
AI Mode
For journalists and activists operating in China, the choice of VPN prioritizes reliability, advanced obfuscation, and a strong track record of protecting user privacy over speed or cost. While the censorship landscape changes constantly, several providers are widely recognized for their effectiveness in bypassing the Great Firewall.
Tier 1: Highly recommended for security and privacy
These providers have specific technologies and policies that make them particularly resilient against China’s advanced censorship.
Astrill VPN:
Reasoning: Astrill is a veteran service specifically engineered for users in highly censored regions like China. Its proprietary StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols are designed to bypass deep packet inspection (DPI) and are well-regarded by long-term residents and experts for their reliability.
Considerations: It is one of the most expensive options and has a less intuitive user experience than competitors.
Proton VPN:
Reasoning: Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN benefits from strong privacy laws and is favored by privacy-conscious users globally, including journalists. It offers a robust “Stealth” protocol designed to bypass censorship and features multi-hop VPN servers for enhanced security.
Considerations: Its performance in China can sometimes be less consistent than Astrill’s, and its free plan does not include the features needed to bypass the Great Firewall reliably.
Mullvad VPN:
Reasoning: Mullvad is an extremely privacy-focused service known for its radical transparency. It does not require personal information to sign up, relying instead on unique account numbers for registration. It offers Shadowsocks and V2Ray bridge obfuscation, providing advanced anonymity tools for users. Mullvad’s logging policy has also been proven in court.
Considerations: It is less focused on unblocking streaming platforms and requires more manual configuration to optimize its anti-censorship features, making it better for advanced users.
Tier 2: Strong, reliable alternatives
These VPNs are also highly capable and often perform well in China, making them solid choices for many users.
NordVPN:
Reasoning: NordVPN is known for its wide array of features and its dedicated Obfuscated Servers, which are designed to bypass heavy internet restrictions. It has also introduced a new “NordWhisper” protocol specifically for navigating restricted networks.
Considerations: Some users report occasional connectivity issues in China, but it is generally considered a reliable choice.
ExpressVPN:
Reasoning: ExpressVPN is a reliable, high-performance option that automatically applies obfuscation to its servers when it detects censorship. It has a large server network, including nearby servers in Hong Kong and Japan, and is well-regarded for its security features.
Considerations: It is generally a more expensive service and some recent reviews suggest its reliability in China may have fluctuated, though it remains a top contender.
Non-commercial and self-managed options
For those with a high level of technical expertise and a critical need for privacy, non-commercial solutions offer greater control.
DIY VPS with Shadowsocks or V2Ray:
Reasoning: This method involves setting up a private VPN or proxy server on a Virtual Private Server (VPS). Since the IP address is private and not flagged by censorship authorities, it can be much more reliable than a commercial VPN.
Considerations: This requires significant technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
DRAPAC VPN Project:
Reasoning: The Digital Rights in Asia-Pacific (DRAPAC) VPN Project is a specialized initiative backed by human rights organizations like Reporters Without Borders. It focuses on providing a censorship-resistant and trusted network for human rights defenders and independent media professionals.
Considerations: This is a grassroots initiative designed for a specific user base rather than a commercial offering for the general public.
Important safety precautions
Journalists and activists must take extra steps to ensure their safety:
Install VPN software before entering China. The websites and app store links for commercial VPNs are often blocked within the country.
Do not use free VPNs. They often lack the necessary security and obfuscation features and may collect and sell user data.
Enable a kill switch and obfuscation. These features are essential to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops.
Use the VPN with a mirror website. Reputable providers like NordVPN maintain mirror sites that are accessible even when their main website is blocked.
------------------------------
For many VPNs, navigating China’s heavily policed internet is a constant struggle due to the “Great Firewall”. Unlike standard internet censorship that relies on simple website blocking, the Great Firewall uses a dynamic, multi-layered approach to detect and disrupt VPN traffic in real-time. VPNs that lack the advanced, specific technologies needed to overcome these barriers will often fail.
How the Great Firewall blocks VPNs
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): The Great Firewall uses DPI to analyze the metadata of all data packets. Basic VPNs have a recognizable “fingerprint,” or signature, based on their protocol (e.g., OpenVPN) and encryption patterns. DPI identifies this signature and blocks the traffic immediately.
IP address blocking: Authorities maintain and constantly update a list of known IP addresses used by commercial VPN servers. When a user connects to one of these flagged IPs, their connection is blocked.
Active probing: To keep the list of blocked IP addresses current, the firewall actively probes suspicious network traffic. If it detects VPN-like activity going to an unknown IP, it sends its own packets to verify if the destination is a VPN server. If it is, the IP address is added to the blocklist.
Port blocking: Many standard VPN protocols rely on specific communication ports. The Great Firewall blocks these ports, preventing VPNs from establishing a connection. For example, the use of OpenVPN on its default port is easily detected and blocked.
Intensified crackdowns: During sensitive political events, such as major national anniversaries or political conferences, censorship is intensified. This leads to a temporary yet significant rise in performance issues and VPN blocking across the country.
Blocking VPN websites: The Chinese government also blocks access to the websites of VPN providers and their download links. Users who wait until they are in China to download their VPN will find themselves unable to.
Norton detection may be due to PandaFan recent update.
Maybe, Norton needs to gather telemetry.
PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe was not known to VirusTotal
PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe is not signed.
Maybe, try False Positive submission.
Yes, Thank you for your reply, I am slowly reading your message. That’s right, this is the Pandafan I use, and I currently trust this VPN software. If that’s the case, what advice would you have for me? Yesterday, Norton put pandafan.exe into quarantine,I took it out of quarantine and temporarily disabled ‘Proactive Protection.’ So, what should I do next?
and I uploaded the Pandafan.exe on virustotal, got “No security vendors flagged this file as malicious“.
Were my machine and I trusted PandaFan and I wanted to run PandaFan.
I’d submit False Positive report here.
I’d add Pandafan.exe with Antivirus and Scans exclusions…to see whether Pandafan.exe exclusions satisfy Norton engines.
Caveat: I’m not familiar with PandaFan
fwiw ~ my Norton and Malwarebytes do not detect PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe installer.
Note: I’ve not tested PandaFan installed.
Note: PandaFan-win32-2.1.2.exe installer is not signed.
Yesterday, I tried launching 2.1.2 download for Windows from https://pandafan.win/download…but, nothing happened.
As of now, I have tentatively decided to add Pandafan to the trusted list, and no alert messages have appeared yet. I will consider using other VPN software later. Thank you for your help.
Threat name: IDP.HELU.PSE53
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is malicious software that could harm your data, computer, or network.
Status: Moved to Quarantine
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 11/1/25,
Last Used: 11/1/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Very few
Very few in the Norton Community have used this file.
New
This file was released 3 days ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
----------------------------------------------
Threat name: IDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is malicious software that could harm your data, computer, or network.
Status: Repaired
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 5/24/25,
Last Used: 10/25/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released 8 months ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe | Process | Terminated
C:\USERS\USER\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP__PSSCRIPTPOLICYTEST_3ZY5APDE.EFI.PS1 | File | Deleted
76E1738EC4DDA2CFFE0E784A16E4DF48 | File | Deleted
Threat name: IDP.Generic%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is an app that you may have unknowingly installed and that may harm your computer performance.
Status: Threat detected
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 9/2/25,
Last Used: 11/1/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released 3 months ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe | Process | Infected
21A06CBFA324BD94702779796EAA524C | File | exceptions
Threat name: IDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is malicious software that could harm your data, computer, or network.
Status: Repaired
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 5/24/25,
Last Used: 11/1/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released 8 months ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe | Process | Terminated
C:\USERS\USER\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP__PSSCRIPTPOLICYTEST_200EFKPF.2QS.PS1 | File | Deleted
76E1738EC4DDA2CFFE0E784A16E4DF48 | File | Deleted ------------------------------------------
Hello again @Lucas.C
~ add PandaFan to the “trusted list”?
Meaning, you added PandaFan.exe with Exclusions?
Curious, how you managed to quiet Norton Behavior Protection?
I’m still getting IDP.HELU.PSE53 - Command line detection
Threat name: IDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is malicious software that could harm your data, computer, or network.
Status: Repaired
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 5/24/25,
Last Used: 11/1/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released 8 months ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe | Process | Terminated
C:\USERS\USER\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP__PSSCRIPTPOLICYTEST_DH1DGDJD.RGG.PS1 | File | Deleted
76E1738EC4DDA2CFFE0E784A16E4DF48 | File | Deleted
===============================
upon calling PandaFan…I’m still getting = We’ve blocked powershell.exe because it was infected with IDP.HELU.PSE53 - Command line detection
Threat name: IDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is malicious software that could harm your data, computer, or network.
Status: Repaired
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 5/24/25,
Last Used: 11/1/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released 8 months ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe | Process | Terminated
C:\USERS\USER\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP__PSSCRIPTPOLICYTEST_EQ3M4M5U.D5U.PS1 | File | Deleted
76E1738EC4DDA2CFFE0E784A16E4DF48 | File | Deleted
=================================
as test: added WindowsPowerShell with Exclusions
upon calling PandaFan…I’m still getting = We’ve blocked powershell.exe because it was infected with IDP.HELU.PSE53 - Command line detection
Threat name: IDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is malicious software that could harm your data, computer, or network.
Status: Repaired
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 5/24/25,
Last Used: 11/1/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released 8 months ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe | Process | Terminated
C:\USERS\USER\APPDATA\LOCAL\TEMP__PSSCRIPTPOLICYTEST_IHGXG2SC.VTB.PS1 | File | Deleted
76E1738EC4DDA2CFFE0E784A16E4DF48 | File | Deleted
upon calling PandaFan…I’m still getting…Command line detection
All: Related AI information: FWIW, I would NOT be considering this software trust worth, just my 2 cents on the security issues it presents.
AI Overview
Vulnerabilities have been found in Panda Security products, including a DLL hijacking vulnerability in the Windows VPN client (CVE-2023-37849) and a privilege escalation flaw in the Dome VPN process (CVE-2024-7244)
. While these issues are serious, the PandaVPN product has different potential issues, such as reliability and functionality problems, and a lack of third-party audits for its no-logs policy.
Specific vulnerabilities in Panda Security products
DLL Hijacking (CVE-2023-37849): In the Panda Security VPN for Windows prior to version 15.14.8, an attacker could execute arbitrary code by placing a malicious DLL in the same directory as the VPN executable.
Privilege Escalation (CVE-2024-7244): A vulnerability exists in the VPN process within Panda Security Dome that allows local attackers with low-privileged code execution to escalate their privileges on the affected system.
Potential issues with PandaVPN (the consumer-facing product)
Reliability: Some reviews report the PandaVPN service as unreliable and difficult to use, with connection issues and a failure to work with streaming services.
Lack of Audits: PandaVPN’s no-logs policy has not been audited by a reputable third party, so there is no independent proof that the company adheres to its stated privacy policy.
Potential Privacy Concerns: While located in a country with data privacy protections, some users may be wary due to the potential for undisclosed links to countries with more aggressive data sharing agreements, such as China.
General VPN vulnerabilities
DNS leaks: Some VPNs can leak DNS queries, revealing a user’s IP address and online activity.
VPN pivoting: Hackers can use a compromised VPN endpoint to attack a user’s network.
Poorly stored credentials: VPN clients may store authentication credentials or session cookies insecurely on the remote endpoint.
As of late 2025, there are no specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) reported for
Pandafan VPN software itself, but general security concerns and significant functional unreliability have been noted by security reviewers throughout the year.
Key Concerns and “Vulnerabilities”
Lack of Essential Security Features: Pandafan VPN notably lacks a crucial safety feature called a kill switch. A kill switch automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address and data from being exposed. The absence of this feature is a major security risk for users seeking anonymity or operating in high-risk environments.
Potential DNS Leaks: Some reviews published in 2025 indicated the presence of “massive DNS leaks,” which can reveal your true location and Internet Service Provider (ISP), compromising your privacy.
No Independent Security Audits: While Pandafan VPN claims a strict “no-logs” policy and is based in the privacy-friendly Seychelles, it has not undergone a third-party security audit to verify these claims. This lack of transparency means users must take the company’s word for its privacy practices.
Untrustworthy Ownership/Origin: Reviewers noted a lack of clarity and conflicting information regarding the company’s location and management, with some reports suggesting ties to China despite claims of being based in the US or Seychelles. This raises red flags about data privacy and potential government scrutiny.
Unreliable Service: User experiences and tests in 2025 consistently reported that the service is unreliable, with frequent server timeouts, connectivity dropouts, and difficulty accessing basic websites and streaming services.
Non-existent Customer Support: Multiple users reported paying for subscriptions and then being unable to reach customer support via live chat, email, or phone for technical issues or refunds.
Due to these issues, security experts have advised caution or recommended against using Pandafan VPN for activities requiring high privacy or reliability in 2025.
Hello @Lucas.C
Just now reading about www.pandafan.zone (prompted by reading @SoulAsylumhere)
AI Mode
“PandaFan VPN” at www.pandafan.zone is not an official website of the legitimate Panda VPN service found at https://pandavpnpro.com/.
The official Panda VPN service explicitly states in its FAQ that https://pandavpnpro.com/ is its only official website. The company warns users that any other sites, including those with similar names or related domain extensions, are likely unofficial, unauthorized, and could potentially offer pirated software that poses security or financial risks to users.
Therefore, it is best to only use the official pandavpnpro.com website to ensure security and receive authentic service.
“PandaFan VPN” at https://www.pandafan.zone/ is likely an alternative or mirror site for the main Panda VPN service at https://pandavpnpro.com/, but users should exercise caution as Panda VPN officially states it has only one website.
Key points:
The official website for Panda VPN is https://pandavpnpro.com/. The company advises against using other sites with similar names to avoid security or financial risks from potentially pirated software.
The domain pandafan.zone uses similar branding and offers ways to purchase the “PandaFan Service” using methods like UnionPay QuickPass, suggesting it caters to a specific market (likely in Asia or China, where internet censorship is common).
User discussions mention “Pandafan VPN” and note it is a smaller provider that can sometimes be flagged by antivirus software due to its methods of manipulating network connections to create VPN tunnels.
While the service offered may be the same underlying VPN technology, the use of pandafan.zone carries a risk because it is not the officially recognized download source. It is recommended to download the software only from https://pandavpnpro.com/ to ensure authenticity and security.
Threat name: IDP.Generic%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is an app that you may have unknowingly installed and that may harm your computer performance.
Status: Threat detected
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 11/1/25,
Last Used: 11/3/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released a month ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe | Process | Infected
FD5005859206454441FDDC98781C0CDD | File | Infected
Threat name: IDP.Generic%s_cmd
Threat type: Miscellaneous - This is an app that you may have unknowingly installed and that may harm your computer performance.
Status: Threat detected
Detected by: Behavioral Protection
On PC from: 11/1/25,
Last Used: 11/3/25,
Startup Item: Yes
Many users
Millions of users in the Norton Community have used this file.
Mature
This file was released a month ago.
High
The file risk is high.
Activity
Path | Type | Status
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe | Process | Infected
FD5005859206454441FDDC98781C0CDD | File | exceptions
==================
with Create exception…I’m still seeing same Exclusions
AI Mode
It is not recommended to add powershell.exe to your Norton 360 exclusions unless you have a specific, verifiable need (e.g., for legitimate system administration or software development that is causing a known false positive) and are confident the file is clean.
Risks of Excluding powershell.exe
Malware Evasion: PowerShell is a powerful, legitimate Windows tool that is frequently abused by threat actors to execute malicious scripts and fileless malware attacks. These attacks run in memory and use built-in, trusted tools to avoid traditional signature-based antivirus detection methods.
Reduced Protection: Excluding powershell.exe from Norton 360 scans means your security software will ignore the process when scanning for security risks, significantly reducing your protection level against these types of “living-off-the-land” attacks.
Stealthy Execution: Attackers can leverage the exclusion to run malicious code without being flagged, as the activity from an excluded process might be automatically allowlisted.
When an Exclusion Might Be Necessary
In legitimate scenarios, such as when using a specific, trusted development tool (like Visual Studio Code with a particular plugin) that triggers a false positive detection in Norton, an exclusion might be needed.
Before adding an exclusion:
Verify the File Path: Ensure the powershell.exe being flagged is the legitimate system file (typically in C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe).
Scan for Corruption: Run a System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and restore any corrupted Windows system files.
Consult Official Support: If you are running legitimate software that uses PowerShell and Norton is flagging it, check the Norton Community forums or contact support for the recommended solution, which often involves excluding a specific script or folder used by your application, rather than the core powershell.exe itself.
Limit the Exclusion: If an exclusion is absolutely necessary, make it as specific as possible (e.g., exclude a specific script file or directory where your trusted program runs scripts) rather than the entire powershell.exe process globally.
In most cases, the prompt from Norton indicates a genuine risk, and caution should be exercised. You should only exclude items if you are completely confident they are not infected.
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Norton 360 flags powershell.exe due to its powerful scripting capabilities, which can be maliciously abused by attackers despite it being a legitimate Windows system tool. Detections often stem from Norton’s behavioral analysis (e.g., IDP.Generic, IDP.HELU, PSE codes), which monitors suspicious activities rather than a known malware signature.
Why Norton 360 Flags powershell.exe
Behavioral Detection (Heuristics): Norton’s proactive protection feature, Identity Protection (IDP), monitors program behavior. When powershell.exe is used to perform actions like downloading files from the internet, changing network settings (common with VPN clients), or running obfuscated scripts, Norton’s behavioral scanner flags it as potentially malicious activity.
“Living off the Land” Attacks: Threat actors commonly use legitimate, built-in system tools like PowerShell to carry out “fileless” malware attacks. This means the malicious code runs in memory and uses trusted executables, making it harder for traditional signature-based antivirus to detect.
False Positives: Legitimate software, such as development tools (like Visual Studio Code’s terminal), VPN clients, or administrative scripts, also use PowerShell for valid reasons. Norton may generate a false positive when a legitimate application initiates a PowerShell process that exhibits a “suspicious” behavior pattern, especially after recent Windows updates or software changes.
Lack of Reputation: For newer or less common legitimate applications, the specific interaction with PowerShell may lack a sufficient “reputation” within the Norton community, leading to it being blocked until verified as safe.
Risks
Risk of Actual Infection: The primary risk is that the detection is legitimate. If the activity was not initiated by a trusted source, it could be a sign of a stealthy infection, such as an advanced fileless coinminer or other malware attempting to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious commands.
Security Blind Spot (if excluded): If you add powershell.exe to exclusions without proper verification, you create a significant security blind spot. You effectively tell Norton to ignore a common attack vector, allowing genuine malware to operate undetected.
System Disruption: Legitimate programs being incorrectly flagged can be blocked from running, causing intended software or system functions to fail.
Data and Privacy Compromise: If an attacker successfully abuses PowerShell, they can use it to exfiltrate data, install additional malware, or compromise your system’s integrity, as the tool has powerful administrative capabilities.
In short: Norton flags powershell.exe to protect you from sophisticated, behavior-based attacks that use legitimate tools maliciously. While false positives occur, you should only consider exclusions after careful verification and with extreme caution.
--------------------------------
Determining if a PowerShell alert is a false positive or a real threat requires investigation into the context of the activity.
Indicators of a Real Threat
Unexpected Activity: The PowerShell process started unexpectedly, without your knowledge or a program you just ran.
Suspicious Parent Process: The process was launched by an unusual program, such as a web browser (chrome.exe, firefox.exe, edge.exe), an Office program (word.exe, excel.exe), or an email client. Legitimate PowerShell is usually initiated by other core Windows processes or specific administrative tools.
Obfuscated Command Line: The command line arguments contain long strings of seemingly random characters or are encoded using Base64 (look for arguments like -EncodedCommand, -e, or similar short forms). This is a very strong indicator of malicious intent.
Network Connections: The PowerShell process attempts to make outbound network connections to unknown or suspicious IP addresses or domains, especially to download additional files or “call home” to an attacker’s server.
Hidden Window: The command includes flags like -WindowStyle hidden or -W hidden, which are used to hide the activity from the user.
Persistence Mechanisms: The activity involves creating new, randomly named entries in the Windows Task Scheduler or the Registry’s Run key to ensure it restarts every time the computer boots.
Multiple Detections: The activity is flagged by multiple different antivirus engines when scanned on a platform like VirusTotal.
Indicators of a False Positive (Legitimate Activity)
Expected Activity: You just launched a trusted application (e.g., a VPN client, a development environment like Visual Studio Code, a legitimate system update utility) and the alert occurred immediately after.
Known File Path: The powershell.exe file is located in its legitimate system directory (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\ or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\).
Simple/Clear Command Line: The command line arguments are short, simple, and clearly related to a system administration task (e.g., running SFC /scannow, enabling logging, or basic configuration checks).
Signed Code: The parent application that launched PowerShell has a legitimate digital signature from a known publisher (e.g., Microsoft, Adobe, etc.).
Single Antivirus Flag: Only Norton flags the file, and a “second opinion” scan with another reputable tool (like Malwarebytes Free) comes up clean.
Recommended Verification Steps
Do Not Dismiss the Alert Immediately: Treat the alert as a real threat initially.
Use a Second Opinion Scanner: Download and run a free scan with a tool like Malwarebytes. If it finds the same threat, it’s almost certainly malicious.
Submit to VirusTotal: If the file was quarantined by Norton, restore it temporarily to a known location (like your Downloads folder), then upload it to VirusTotal for a multi-engine scan. If only one or two scanners flag it, it’s likely a false positive.
Check the Norton History for Details: Look in Norton’s security history for details about the alert, including the full command line and the “Actor” or “Parent Process” that started PowerShell. This context is crucial.
Submit to Norton for Analysis: If you are confident it is a false positive, submit the file to the Norton Submission Portal for their team to analyze and update their definitions.
----------------------------------------
PowerShell is a legitimate, powerful administrative tool used primarily for automation and configuration management across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments. Its primary legitimate uses revolve around making complex, repetitive IT tasks more efficient and less prone to human error.
Common Legitimate Reasons for Using PowerShell
System Administration Automation: IT professionals use PowerShell to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks that would be difficult to do manually using a graphical user interface (GUI).
User Management: Bulk creation, modification, or deletion of user accounts in Active Directory (AD) or Microsoft 365, including setting permissions and assigning licenses.
Software Deployment/Updates: Automating the installation, uninstallation, and patching of software across multiple machines.
System Maintenance: Automating routine tasks such as cleaning up temporary files, managing log files (archiving/cleanup), or restarting services on multiple servers.
Configuration Management: Ensuring that systems maintain a specific “desired state configuration” (DSC), applying consistent settings and security policies across an entire network.
System Monitoring and Reporting: PowerShell can be used to gather detailed information about system health, performance, and security across local and remote computers.
Disk Space Monitoring: Checking disk space on multiple servers and generating a report or email alert when limits are reached.
Performance Metrics: Tracking CPU usage, memory usage, and network performance.
Security Auditing: Auditing local administrator groups, checking for accounts with non-expiring passwords, or exporting event logs for analysis.
Cloud Infrastructure Management: PowerShell integrates seamlessly with cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), allowing administrators to manage cloud resources, deploy applications, and automate cloud workflows.
Remote Management: Administrators can run commands and scripts on one or more remote computers simultaneously to query devices, troubleshoot problems, and perform configuration changes, which is essential for managing large networks.
Software Development and DevOps: Developers use PowerShell for tasks such as setting up development environments, automating testing processes, and integrating with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
In essence, any situation where an IT professional needs to perform a task precisely, repeatedly, and at scale is a legitimate use case for PowerShell.
AI Mode IDP.HELU.PSE53 is a generic, heuristic threat detection used by Norton 360’s advanced behavioral scanning engine. It indicates that Norton has identified suspicious activity related to PowerShell scripts (PSE) that mimics known malicious behavior, even if the specific malware signature is unknown.
Breakdown of the Detection Name
IDP (Identity Protection): The specific Norton feature responsible for the detection. It monitors the real-time behavior of programs to identify actions indicative of identity theft or system compromise.
HELU / PSE53: These are internal codes used by the Norton heuristic analysis engine.
HELU refers to “Heuristics Emulation Logic Updated.”
PSE likely stands for PowerShell Script/Executable.
53 is the specific rule number within the heuristic database that the detected activity violated.
Why Norton Reports This Threat
The detection is triggered by behavior, not a file name. It is designed to catch “fileless” malware and sophisticated attacks that use legitimate system tools (powershell.exe) to execute malicious commands.
Common reasons for this flag include:
Suspicious Behavior: A program is using PowerShell to perform actions typical of malware, such as making unusual network connections, modifying system settings, or running encoded commands.
“Living off the Land” Attacks: Malicious actors frequently abuse PowerShell because it is a trusted Windows utility. Norton is specifically tuned to watch for misuses of this powerful tool.
False Positives (Most Common):IDP.HELU.PSE53 is a frequent false positive for legitimate software. Many trusted applications use PowerShell scripts for benign tasks like:
Configuring system settings (e.g., network adapter settings).
Running development environment tools (e.g., Visual Studio Code terminals).
Is it a Real Threat or a False Positive?
Real Threat Indicators: The activity happened unexpectedly (not linked to a program you just launched/updated), the process was started by a web browser or email, or the command line contains long, obfuscated strings of characters.
False Positive Indicators: The alert occurred immediately after you ran or updated a known, trusted piece of software, or only Norton flagged the file when scanned elsewhere.
Actionable Steps:
Check the Context: Identify the program that triggered the alert by checking your Norton Security History.
Get a Second Opinion: Scan the file (if you can locate the source file that was blocked) with another security scanner like Malwarebytes or VirusTotal.
Submit to Norton: If you are confident it is a false positive, report it to the Norton Submission Portal for analysis.
------------------------------------------------
AI Mode
Norton 360 reports the threat name IDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd because its behavioral, heuristic scanner has identified activity involving a command-line process (likely powershell.exe) that matches a generic pattern associated with malware.
Breakdown of the Detection Name
IDP (Identity Protection): This is the component of Norton that uses advanced behavioral analysis to detect suspicious actions in real-time that could harm your data or identity.
HELU / PSE53: These are internal codes used by Norton’s heuristic engine. PSE specifically refers to PowerShell Scripting (or similar). The number 53 (or other numbers like 45, 46, etc.) is a specific identifier for the exact detection rule that was triggered.
%s_cmd (Command line detection): This suffix indicates that the suspicious activity was detected in relation to a command-line interpreter, typically powershell.exe or cmd.exe.
Why This is Flagged
The detection does not mean a file namedIDP.HELU.PSE53%s_cmd exists on your computer. It means that an active process or script exhibited behavior that Norton’s Proactive Protection judged as potentially malicious.
Heuristic Detections: Since malware frequently changes its code, antivirus programs use heuristics to spot behavioral traits of malicious activity, such as attempting to run encoded scripts, make unexpected network connections, or modify system files.
PowerShell Abuse: PowerShell is a legitimate and powerful Windows tool, but it is heavily abused by attackers to perform “fileless” malware attacks. These attacks run in memory and use trusted system tools to hide their activities, so Norton is highly sensitive to unusual PowerShell usage.
Common False Positives: This specific detection name is notorious for being a false positive for legitimate software.
Trusted Software: Programs like VPN clients (e.g., Pandafan), game launchers (e.g., Paradox launcher), or development tools (e.g., Visual Studio Code’s terminal) often use PowerShell scripts for updates or configuration, triggering the alert.
Lack of Reputation: Norton’s system can flag legitimate, newly updated software simply because it hasn’t built a sufficient “reputation” within the user community yet.
What to Do
Check the Context: Determine which program was running when the alert appeared. If it was a trusted program you installed, it’s likely a false positive.
Use a Second Scanner: Run a scan with a reputable, different antivirus product like Malwarebytes to get a second opinion.
Submit to Norton: If you are certain the file is safe, submit it as a false positive to the Norton Submission Portal to help them refine their definitions.
Do Not Globally Exclude PowerShell: Avoid excluding the main powershell.exe process entirely, as this leaves you vulnerable to actual threats. Only use specific, targeted exclusions if necessary and after verification.
-----------------------------------------------
AI Mode
Norton 360 reports the threat name IDP.Generic%s_cmd because its Identity Protection (IDP) component has detected suspicious, non-specific behavior involving a command-line interpreter (likely cmd.exe or powershell.exe). This is a generic, heuristic detection rather than a specific known virus signature.
Meaning of the Threat Name
IDP (Identity Protection): Refers to the specific Norton feature that detected the activity. This system monitors program behavior in real-time to spot actions common to malware, such as attempting to access personal information or making unexpected system changes.
Generic: Indicates that the detection was triggered by a general set of suspicious behaviors, not by matching the digital fingerprint of a known virus.
%s_cmd (or similar, e.g., PSS53%s_cmd): This suffix points to activity related to command-line processes (cmd.exe or powershell.exe). The system flagged an application or script that was interacting with these powerful system tools in a way that mimicked malicious behavior.
Why This Happens
Norton flags this activity because command-line tools like PowerShell and cmd.exe are frequently abused by threat actors to execute “living-off-the-land” attacks, which use legitimate system tools for malicious purposes (e.g., downloading malware, changing registry settings, or exfiltrating data).
Common triggers for this alert include:
Suspicious Activity: An application (even a legitimate one like a VPN client, game launcher, or development tool) is running scripts via PowerShell or cmd.exe to perform tasks like changing network settings, updating itself, or modifying system files.
Heuristic Over-sensitivity: Norton’s behavioral engine is sensitive to unusual or new activities. After a Windows or software update, legitimate activities might appear new and unknown to the antivirus, leading to a false alarm.
Lack of Reputation: If the program initiating the command has a low reputation within the Norton user community (e.g., a very new application), the risk rating increases, and the IDP component is more likely to block it.
Is it a Real Threat or a False Positive?
The IDP.Generic%s_cmd detection is often a false positive for legitimate software, but it is a red flag that should not be ignored.
Next Steps:
Check the Parent Process: Look for the file or process that launched the command. If it’s a program you trust (e.g., a Steam game launcher, a VPN installer), it’s likely a false positive.
Use a Second Opinion: Scan the flagged file with a different antivirus program or upload it to VirusTotal to get a second opinion from multiple security vendors.
Submit to Norton: If you are confident it is a false positive, report it to Norton via their submission portal so they can analyze and update their definitions.
Avoid Immediate Exclusion: Only create an exclusion if you are certain the file is safe, as excluding command-line tools can create significant security risks.
