Hoax. is Malwarebytes' detection name for a particular kind of riskware that tricks users into believing something that isn't factual.
A virus hoax is typically spread via email chains, social media posts, and other methods, claiming to warn potential victims of a threat, often in an exaggerated tone. The classic example of this is the Teddy Bear virus hoax of 2002.
This hoax urged people to remove JDBGMGR.EXE, a file that has an icon that looks like a teddy bear. In fact, this executable is a legitimate Windows file known as the Java Debug Manager—thus, jdbgmgr. It is used by Java programmers. Microsoft's Windows 3.1 development team used the teddy bear icon (dubbed the Microsoft Bear) in homage to their mascot. This icon is also regarded as one of the many hidden Easter eggs in Microsoft products through the years.
Users can safely ignore hoaxes or validate supposed truthfulness by doing a simple Google search or visiting Snopes.com, Hoax-Slayer, or ThruthOrFiction.com.
Malwarebytes protects users from hoax files in the form of an executable by using real-time protection.
Malwarebytes can detect and remove Hoax files without further user interaction.
Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.
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