Warning to Trainzers using AVG with Identity Protection turned on...

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Hi Trainzers,

I have identified an issue involving AVG's antivirus tool particularly in the Identity Protection part of it. The effect of this is that it is flagging up both TS12 files and T:ANE files (Trainz.exe, TADDaemon.exe and TANE.exe) as false positives (IDP.Alexa.51 although this can also be an actual infection in some cases). Other non-Trainz programs may also get affected by this as well as two of my other non-Trainz programs also got affected by this particular update as well.

If you are using AVG with Identity Protection turned on I would advise keeping an eye out in case any files get quarantined as a result of this. I have submitted a false positive report to AVG Technologies via the AVG application itself. You may need to add the Trainz program folders as exceptions.

At the moment I'm not sure if any other antivirus programs are doing the same but I do know that it's due to an update released today.

There's a good chance that older versions of Trainz will also be affected by this problem as well.

Shane

Many freeware antivirus programs, and AVG always has had a "self deletion", "self quarantine", of files and programs that the antivirus seems to think are threats (which are false positives) ... it doesn't notify you, or ask, you for user input ... it just self deletes, or quarantines what it wants, automatically ... this is why I don't use AVG, and many other freeware antivirus programs

I use Avast on my old computer instead of AVG that has windows vista on it that my neighbor Bud gave me

Guess you haven't heard that Avast are buying AVG https://blog.avast.com/avast-and-avg-a-future-together

I only use avast since it has not infected my trainz 12 like AVG has done several times

So what would generally be considered the best antivirus software? I currently run Kaspersky and, while I find it gives excellent protection, I find it so intrusive. I have to turn off various Kaspersky bits if I need to update bits of software on my PC otherwise the "monitoring for altered software" part kicks in and bins the updates. Yes, I could probably do something to make exclusions but I'm 60 years old and in poor health so it's all a bit beyond my patience boundaries right now.

I just want something that I can install and let it get on with it's job in the background without stomping all over everything I try to do on the internet (Kaspersky doesn't exactly "stomp" all over but it does make my blood boil at times.) I don't visit porn sites or music sites (which are well known trouble spots, of course) so I don't understand why Kaspersky is so severe. I used to be a committed McAfee user but they got to be too lax. Furthermore, I had several problems similar to what Shane is reporting with AVG, and their helpdesk were totally useless, often failing to even respond to my request for assistance.

I'd be very interested to see what the general concensus is of a good antivirus set up that's not too involved but does the job it needs to do.

Cheers

Dave

EDIT: PS. Sorry for hijacking your thread, Shane.

I just use Windows Defender in Windows 10. I've never had an issue with viruses yet. It's bundled with Windows and is not obtrusive or interfering at all. Have had Norton360, Trend Micro Titanium and Kapersky in the past, but all have slowed down the general operation of my computers. Highly recommend Windows Defender.
cheers
Graeme.

Hi
I use the Microsoft Esential antiwirus program its free and never have any problems.
I used to have AVG but i depeted all my trains games so i had to start all over again
herlev

I removed AVG from my desktop PC after it got into an update loop which wouldn't resolve and now just use Windows Defender.

On the new laptop I let MacAffee run its free trial period then uninstalled and also switched to using Windows Defender.

IMHO AVG has fallen far from the tree, frequently trying to trick you into buying enhanced versions or features and throwing out pop-ups all over the screen.

cyberdongreen said:

...

I'd be very interested to see what the general concensus is of a good antivirus set up that's not too involved but does the job it needs to do.

Cheers

Dave

EDIT: PS. Sorry for hijacking your thread, Shane.

Click to expand...

I've used TrendMicro Maximum Security for probably 10 years at least. Most of the times you don't see anything except a scan but it will pop and warn if it finds something it doesn't like. That's very rare as I don't go to dubious sites. If I download something that is remotely suspicious I will highlight the file and run a scan although I think it scans as it downloads.

I agree with the post above, Trend Maximum Security is vigilant but does not appear to slow computer operations. From my experience, I would recommend it. I have used it for about the same time as Paul, and have never had virus problems.

Peter

I use two security programs at the same time (each has its own area of interest). I do not feel comfortable. The Internet is a wonder as well as a sewerage system that allows anything to flow into your home or business. The hackers who are the most worry are those that are state-sponsored. Your homemade security strategies are useless in that case. You are possibly in the greatest danger from yourself. Open an email from a trusted source and it may infect your computer. It does not take much effort to get a list of your email contacts and then get the those contacts data that is eventually spoofed as a legitimate email. The next thing you know your PC is locked and nothing will revive it. The FBI says pay and hope the crook unlocks it. Hmmm- where was my protection?

Yet another reason I'm glad I dumped AVG. The program backs stuff up without actually telling you, to a folder that no average Joe can find. I turned on my PC one day, saw that I only had 4 MB (yes, megabytes) of hard drive space left. Traced it down to AVG, and deleted 71 GB with of unauthorized backups. I'm happy to be AVG free for about a year now. I use VIPRE now, and I have had no trouble.

Matt

narrowgauge said:

I agree with the post above, Trend Maximum Security is vigilant but does not appear to slow computer operations. From my experience, I would recommend it. I have used it for about the same time as Paul, and have never had virus problems.

Peter

Click to expand...

Hi Peter, Then you must be lucky using Trend Maximum Security, because whenever I have it switched on, it is impossible to download any material at all. It clogs up my CPU, slows programs down and prevents TS12 and T:ANE from running smoothly. Even though I have listed all my favourite programs, Trend totally disregards that and so I have to disable it totally. Once a month I switch it back on and do a scan but usually, there is nothing highlighted to worry about.
The contract expires in one month, so it's getting the 'flick', and I'll stay with Windows Defender.

Cheers,
Roy3b3

I use Emsisoft Anti Malware. It is payware, but not very expensive. It can be tailored quite a bit to how you operate and such.

Bill

Thankyou to those who have responded on this thread - it's been an interesting read. It appears I've also been dealing with a bit of an adware problem as well over the last 24 hours due to a problem download from elsewhere (something called SpringFiles, which is something I'd advise avoiding due to it's unwanted addons).

Shane

I have run AVG on multiple PC's for years and have not seen any of the issue in this thread. Only remember one release that was a problem but that was at least 3 to 4 years ago.
Now not to say that all of you are not seeing issues with AVG but it usually is caused by some interaction with other software. Thankfully there are a number of options in the FREE virus area so when there are compatibility issues you can grab another product and not have to deal with problems.
Thanks to all the companies that do provide free options.

Having ran AVG for the past 5 years, I haven't run into anything major. Sure, AVG did flag up 3DS Max a time or two, but other then that nothing. I went back to using Avast since AVG is a memory hog.