Tech: AVAST there!

Subject: Tech: AVAST there!
From: GUEST,A.User
Date: 15 Nov 13 - 10:35 AM

This is the only chat-type system that I access regularly, so I thought I'd put out a warning here.

A few days ago I went to download a file from the admirable JC's ABC Tunefinder and play it using my trusty Myriad program- all as I've done hundreds of times- i.e no change in my behaviour.
But, my recently renewed AVAST antivirus slapped it straight into it's quarantine cache- with no apparent way a simple user like me can unlock this much- used (c.10 yrs) application.
AVAST states it contains the 'WIN32:EVO-GEN(SUSP)' virus- I notice it has impounded my almost equally used photo-manipulation app forvthe same reason.

OK, so it's a bit over-zealous,you might think- but it's suddenly slapped the MS XP System Restore in there as well, alleging similar infection- so a simple user like me cannot back-track!

The operating system contains a virus? Tripe- I cannot think of a non-hostile reason why any program should interfere with Windows.

I've drawn the conclusion AVAST has gone rogue, thoght I'd mention it in case anybody else has trouble.
A.User

Subject: RE: Tech: AVAST there!
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Nov 13 - 11:12 AM

Avast has a setting to tell it to consider this a 'false positive'. As each new update of virus finds is sent to you, it is possible that some series of code letters in an older program can match a combination in some virus.

I had to tell Avast a couple of times "it's ok... never mind... allow that program". Haven't had to recently.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVAST there!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Nov 13 - 12:29 PM

As Bill writes, AVAST is capable of learning. After a while, it shrugs its [figurative] shoulders and allows us to go to Hell in our own way.