Getting the AVG virus alert with FOF 7.1a

QuikSand · 11-25-2014, 08:58 AM

I know this is a documented problem, but I'm not sure why it's hitting me now. I ran FOF 7 for some time, upgraded to 7.1 without incident when it came out, and all was well.

For some dumb reason I decided to upgrade to 7.1a today, and now AVG is blocking access to the game.

I did a quick forum search to no avail. I realize Solecismic's solution is to disable AVG, but that is problematic in my current environment. Is there a workaround that anyone else has found? (I feel like I may have even gone through this before, and if so, sorry)

QuikSand · 11-25-2014, 09:56 AM

Virus Removal Frequently Asked Questions - AVG Threat Labs

7. How to add file, folder or URL exceptions to AVG scans?

If you need to exclude a certain file, folder or URL from any detection by AVG, please follow these steps:

Open the AVG Admin Console
Go to "Options" menu then click on "Advanced Settings"
Click on "Exceptions" on the left hand menu
Click on the "Add exception" button located in lower left hand corner of this window
Choose the Exception type this dialog window
Now find the file or folder you want to exclude and click OK to save these changes

These exceptions can be used for "Potentially unwanted programs" only. If you set the exception for a viral file (Trojan horse, I-Worm, Worm, W32...), this file will be still detected by AVG tests and the AVG Resident Shield.

Higgs44 · 11-25-2014, 06:29 PM

If you uninstall the program, as I did. AVG will not allow you to re-install, you will have to disable AVG to re-install. Just a heads up.

DaBolts · 11-27-2014, 02:31 PM

After several download and installations of different versions of FOF, this is the 1st time my anti-virus software has ever flagged FOF for a 'Win/Heur' virus. I am unable to proceed with my season, due to the fact that I will not knowingly install a virus onto my PC. Jim, can you please address this asap.

Solecismic · 11-27-2014, 02:56 PM

This has been a periodic problem with AVG and FOF 7. I've reported it to them three times now. I've followed the instructions given by Balaji Shanmugam Balasubramanian of AVG Customer Care three times. They don't care.

The bottom line is that heuristic determination of virus threats can be quick if irresponsibly applied, which enables these companies to scan large hard drives in a reasonable amount of time. But it generates huge numbers of false positives.

Since AVG is big and Solecismic is tiny, there's really nothing I can do than hope. If I were a huge company that could afford a legal team, AVG would stop this nonsense. But since I'm not, they're not going to bother adjusting their heuristics to remove this false positive.

The only answer is to stop rewarding irresponsible companies like AVG that don't immediately react to reports of false positives.

Honestly, between this and the Steam issue, it's a wonder I'm still in business.

chinaski · 11-27-2014, 07:19 PM

Trust AVG until common sense steps in. Its obviously a false positive. AVG is especially bad for this. Use Kaspersky instead.

11-27-2014, 07:19 PM	#6
chinaski College Prospect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon	Trust AVG until common sense steps in. Its obviously a false positive. AVG is especially bad for this. Use Kaspersky instead. __________________ CCFL - Buffalo Bills IHOF - Houston Mustangs GML - San Diego

11-25-2014, 09:56 AM	#2
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Virus Removal Frequently Asked Questions - AVG Threat Labs 7. How to add file, folder or URL exceptions to AVG scans? If you need to exclude a certain file, folder or URL from any detection by AVG, please follow these steps: Open the AVG Admin Console Go to "Options" menu then click on "Advanced Settings" Click on "Exceptions" on the left hand menu Click on the "Add exception" button located in lower left hand corner of this window Choose the Exception type this dialog window Now find the file or folder you want to exclude and click OK to save these changes These exceptions can be used for "Potentially unwanted programs" only. If you set the exception for a viral file (Trojan horse, I-Worm, Worm, W32...), this file will be still detected by AVG tests and the AVG Resident Shield.

11-25-2014, 06:29 PM	#3
Higgs44 n00b Join Date: Feb 2007	If you uninstall the program, as I did. AVG will not allow you to re-install, you will have to disable AVG to re-install. Just a heads up.

11-27-2014, 02:31 PM	#4
DaBolts n00b Join Date: Nov 2014	After several download and installations of different versions of FOF, this is the 1st time my anti-virus software has ever flagged FOF for a 'Win/Heur' virus. I am unable to proceed with my season, due to the fact that I will not knowingly install a virus onto my PC. Jim, can you please address this asap.

11-27-2014, 02:56 PM	#5
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	This has been a periodic problem with AVG and FOF 7. I've reported it to them three times now. I've followed the instructions given by Balaji Shanmugam Balasubramanian of AVG Customer Care three times. They don't care. The bottom line is that heuristic determination of virus threats can be quick if irresponsibly applied, which enables these companies to scan large hard drives in a reasonable amount of time. But it generates huge numbers of false positives. Since AVG is big and Solecismic is tiny, there's really nothing I can do than hope. If I were a huge company that could afford a legal team, AVG would stop this nonsense. But since I'm not, they're not going to bother adjusting their heuristics to remove this false positive. The only answer is to stop rewarding irresponsible companies like AVG that don't immediately react to reports of false positives. Honestly, between this and the Steam issue, it's a wonder I'm still in business.

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