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maryamira
Participant
March 20, 2023
Question

Adobe Reader DC download says it is infected with a Trojan

  • March 20, 2023
  • 14 replies
  • 18845 views

Hello,

 

We are March 20, 2023, around 4:00 PM ETC

So I downloaded and tried to install Adobe Reader. I made sure it was from the official website, as I already have a story with a third-party one. So it was no doubt from get.adobe.com. Halfway through installation, Windows Defender blocked it because it found the Wacatac B, a serious threat, attached to the .exe file. The affected file was rooted in: C:/PRogramData/Adobe/Temp/7682/installer.bin. It was deleted at that moment. 

 

Just in case, I went back and double-checked my browsing history. And again, that was get.adobe.com.

 

Did that happen to anyone, how could this be?

 

I think the threat was blocked, but I'm running a full scan through my laptop at the moment, with Windows Defender again, and with Malware Bytes later. I will edit if further detail is found.

14 replies

Participating Frequently
August 2, 2025

I discontinued the use of Acrobat Reader almost a year ago. Good luck!

Participant
August 2, 2025

I don't know much about viruses or threats in general, but one night I decided to download Adobe Reader as well, to listen to a document without reading it. I also trusted the site, but now I am encountering problems with a certain virus, a trojan, the W32/Tedy.7918!tr that Microsoft Defender has detected. From what I understand, it is a malware within some Adobe Acrobat files. I am not an expert in this kind of thing, but I have been researching for days, and no, I don't think you're alone.

Participant
November 13, 2024

Definitely something going on here. An item named Adobe Reader DC appeared on my external flash drive and then dissapeared. 

Participant
November 11, 2024

Same for me (Gen:Trojan.Heur.TP.kp2@b8na4Udi). Why does Adobe do not care?

Participant
November 13, 2024

Same issue here, BitDefender blocks it with the message below. Adobe, any ideas when this will be resolved as I am going to have to buy an alternative if not  resolved very soon. \Downloads\Acrobat_Set-Up.exe tried to load a malicious resource detected as Gen:Trojan.Heur.TP.kp2@bGbaVthi and was blocked. Your device is safe.

Tai la Mar
Participant
November 6, 2024

I also had the same thing happen to me not too long ago. It was downloaded directly from the Adobe webpage. I took a look at Bitdefender, and this is the message that shows in my notification. 

Suspicious activity blocked
19 minutes ago
Feature:  Antivirus


C:\Users\MYPCNAME\Downloads\Acrobat_Set-Up.exe tried to load a malicious resource detected as Gen: Trojan.Heur.TP.kp2@byxzjxai and was blocked. Your device is safe.

I don't feel comfortable downloading the app anymore because Adobe sees that it is necessary to attach other unwanted features and apps, such as McAfee and their Creative Pro App, to the download without being able to refuse. I will be canceling my subscription. 
We should be able to download the stand-alone Adobe Reader app AND receive ALL the necessary updates, INCLUDING security updates, without also having to download an app that is not needed. 

Participating Frequently
November 6, 2024

I decided to cancel my susbscription too.

Participating Frequently
November 3, 2024

It is November 2, 2024, and my antivirus is sending the next messages:

I tried to contact an online agent, but despite Adobe offers 24/7 support, no one was available to assist.

radzmar
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 3, 2024

The name Acrobat_Set-Up.exe already is suspicious. Where are you  downloading from. Looks not official to me.

Participating Frequently
November 3, 2024

1) I wento to the official website of Adobe Acrobat in Spanish

2) Then I clicked on the button "Get the Apps" to download Adobe Acrobat Pro

 

And I get the message from my antivirus I previously mentioned.

Participant
May 12, 2024

I've downloaded Acrobat and then later adobe premiere pro and both times malware followed. The worst was when I got premier pro and got a Trojan malware 

Participant
May 4, 2023

We had the same issue. Adobe does not seem to think the problem is on their end, despite several isolated cases with the same problem. I am also using Defender for Endpoint and it was also labeled as 'Wacatac.'

Amal.
Community Manager
Community Manager
May 29, 2023

Hi there

 

This issue is known to our engineering team and is being worked upon.

 

We will share more details as soon as we get any updates.

 

Regards

Amal

Participant
March 27, 2023

same situation, 27/03/2023, 2 AM.

I can survive without the reader from adobe. Some risks are not worth taking.

 

I dont really care if its a false positive or not. Both big companies, sort it out between yourselves. Until that, lost clients.

Amal.
Community Manager
Community Manager
March 28, 2023

Hi @maryamira @Fernando29084139zh8h @Carlo290789449nky @Miguel29033044y8k3 @Sergio29030100bdrq 

 

Hope you are doing well, and thanks for reporting this issue. I will get it checked internally with our team.

 

Please remove the application using the Acrobat cleaner tool https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html , reboot the computer once, and reinstall the application using the direct link https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/ and see if that helps.

 

Let us know if you experience any trouble and need more help.

 

Regards

Amal

Participant
March 26, 2023

Exact same problem here.

Not installing Acrobat Reader until this issue will be explained by Adobe.

Participant
March 26, 2023

 

Participant
August 2, 2025

Ciao sei italiano? Comunque penso di avere il tuo stesso virus, anzi trojan, che dovrebbe essere questo W32/Tedy.7918!tr, io non sono esperta in questo ambito, ma vorrei capire se è grave o meno. Siccome è da un po' che faccio ricerche su questo virus maligno e a quanto pare è all'interno do qualche file di adobe acrobat, o forse di adobe reader, che installai ad aprile, il problema è che microsoft defender me lo ha rilevato il 08/07/2025, non riesco a capire come ha fatto a manifestarsi poprio quel giorno lì.