My Boss, the Anti-Virus Software

[danbaron]

I have been working on a console program, using Pelles C, and have been testing it as it grows.

At some point, I began getting just a blank console window with a blinking cursor, and no output.

Each time I ran it, I had to use the Windows Task Manager to force it to quit.

I was convinced that I had done something wrong, for instance, had corrupted the memory.

I spent hours trying to isolate what in the code was causing the malfunction.

I began to hate C.

I'm too tired to remember why, but then for some reason I tried turning off my virus software, Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, and running the program.

Immediately, everything ran fine again.

Something similar happened when I was using Powerbasic.

Also there I was running a console program.

Each time I changed it, I would do, "Compile and Execute".

The compilation was instantaneous.

But, sometimes it would take over a minute for the console window to appear.

I asked at the Powerbasic forum if anyone knew about the problem.

Two guys told me it was probably my virus program, and they were correct.

As soon as I turned it off, the console window instantaneously appeared after the compilation.

In the future I have to remember to disconnect from the internet, and turn off Kaspersky, when I am coding.

Maybe someone else will benefit from learning about my unpleasant experiences.

:-((

[ErosOlmi]

Thanks dan for remembering this little but important aspect that can save hours of time in searching for ...

Personally in my development PC I have just Microsoft Security Essential because I too had many false positive errors from different AV software.
I than have few virtual machines each with different AV software. I use this method in order to test my application before releasing them and avoid users discover false positive by them self. In any case this is not 100% secure method because AV software change their algo and data every day.

Some internet protection software like ZoneAlarm (by Checkpoint) has the option to mark any executable as "change frequently" in order to mark them as "under development" avoiding false positive.

[Charles Pegge]

I have had lots of problems with antivirus software and the situation is not improving. I find that recent updates of Avast, not only confiscates my compiled code but also conceals the virus chest, so I am unable to retrieve it or make a 'false positive' report. All I can do is turn off the file checking part and hope for the best.

Charles

PS. To Avira's credit I got a personal response from the developers.

[Petr Schreiber]

I had similar issues with ESET NOD32 & ThinBASIC, but once I set them report about the issue (false positives in scripts using Oxygen module), the problem disappeard.


Petr

[danbaron]

Since you guys have fast connections, my guess is that you are almost always connected to the internet. Even with my slow connection, I am connected at least half of the time. Sooner or later, I will have a fast connection too, and will always be connected. What I already notice is that programs from my computer exchange information with their websites whenever they want to. They don't ask my permission, they just do it.

Many times when I try to shut down my computer, I am informed that updates are being installed, and I should not disconnect the power. I guess these are from Microsoft. My speculation is that initially one software company began communicating with its website without informing the user. Then, because there was no public protest, other software companies began doing it too. I would bet that Microsoft was the first one.

I don't like this situation. To me, it blurs the line between what does and does not belong to me. My observation has been that most people are dummies, and when a corporation tells them over and over again (by blanketing them with advertising showing hysterically happy actors) that it is primarily trying to help them, they believe it (or don't care either way). But, do you believe it? Do you believe that your electronic communication providers' fundamental motivations are improving your life?

I'm almost certain that you do not own the operating system that runs your computer. I guess that you (and I) are basically leasing it. Microsoft or Apple can put whatever they want to in their operating systems, who is going to stop them, either legally or technologically? As far as I know, it may be illegal to even attempt to examine the code of the operating system inside your own machine.

How do you like not owning the software inside your machine? Absolutely I am convinced, the more dependent upon them we become, the happier, more secure, and wealthier they become.

Richard Stallman (links) saw this train coming down the track a long long time ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman

http://stallman.org/

I'm 100% in favor of Linux. If you guys think that Bill Gates (now with his charitable foundation) and his wife are great human beings, then, I'm amazed.

Aren't we extremely fortunate to be alive during the dawn of the Golden Age of the Corporations?

(Currently, there is a place, I think in Rome, called, Vatican City. Wouldn't it be cool if before long they changed it to, "McDonald's Vatican City"? And the new symbol would show Jesus crucified on the center spire of the golden arches. Ronald McDonald could be standing next to the cross, holding up a Happy Meal to Jesus. (Do you think I have a future in advertising?))

(I realize that I have gone off topic. And, I don't expect to be taken completely seriously. But, my experience is that sometimes nothing else can make a point like exaggeration. How many times throughout history has the "heavy hand" of propaganda demonstrated, that what a society views as insanity today, it may view as perfectly normal five years in the future?)

[John Spikowski]

Dan,

A few points moving to a faster connection.

• Your cookie file is being scanned by ad mongers to see where you have been. If you have a slow connection they don't bother.
• Turn off MS auto updates.
• Use a good anti-virus/internet security program or tighten up your firewall settings.
• If your really that paranoid, you can setup your hosts file to only allow the sites you want to make a connection to your system.
• Stay away from porn, gambling, and news sites that have a lot of ads and malware.

Just curious, did you decide to move closer to where your wife is and reduce the fuel costs of that daily 60 mile trip? I would guess you could afford more than a fast internet connection not having to pay $3.75 + a gallon and all the wear and tear on your car. (and be spending more time with your wife)

[danbaron]

I never even knew I could turn off MS auto updates.

I have no interest in porn and gambling sites.

I can't stay away from all news sites, but, I do stay away from most.

I don't think I'm very paranoid about infections - but if I get one, I don't like it.

Here, in the middle of nowhere, I own my house - no mortgage.

The closer I move to my wife in North Hollywood (which is part of Los Angeles), the more expensive houses get.

For almost the last two years, on the usual day I have only driven as far as the train station, 18 miles each way.

The paramount reason that I began taking the train was because of the expense, time, and energy, I was using on car repairs (for the 10 previous years, I was driving to the nursing home 7 days per week, and totaling almost 50,000 miles per year (including other driving), most on the same car (but I had to have the engine replaced, more than once)).

Absolutely, I would instantaneously get DSL if I could, but, so far, at my location, I cannot.

[zak]

before a week i have installed SheerPower® 4GL and every time i run it the light of the network connection icon turns on once per day. so i stopped to investigate it more.
some software check for updated, and there is "check for updates" option in the options, and it is enabled by default. but others don't have this option.