Antivirus software stopping you from installing?

[marcushh777]

I am having a similar issue. I've got Norton 360 Deluxe and it really, REALLY wants to kill RF9.5. I disabled all protection and was able to install the software. Then, suddenly a day later, it killed the .exe file again! This has happened twice now. Sigh. Any ideas?

I had to wait for my copy of Rf9.5 to get to Minnesota ( with Interlink DX ) so I had time to clean-up this Dell gamer that I bought to dedicate to the Sim. I spent about 30 days cleaning it up... removing Cortana, unloading all third party AV from the system including McCafree, Norton, couple others... turning off all the marketing nag ware, add ware, bloat ware, and etc.

When Rf9.5 got here, I installed it; no hits, no runs, no errors! Runs fine, as does Windows 10, without Norton and Co, nor McCafree and Co, and without any help from Cortana! Windows defender is all you need to have running; that, and stay off the porn sites! Your machine will be fine, and you'll have a ton of fun with your Sim.

marcus

 

[AlexNillson89]

I'm already tired of looking at this error and that it says that there is malware, thanks for solving this problem!

 

[FrauLeia]

I still have the problem be blocked for installation. It is not acceptable to turn of virus protection or excluding software from virus scan. every software produce has to whitelist his software at virus producers or deliver a setup tool which is able to be installed. I cannot agree to this way to work around this issue. why are you not able to build an software installer as thousands of software developer do, which can be installed correctly.

 

[marcushh777]

I cannot agree to this way to work around this issue. why are you not able to build an software installer as thousands of software developer do, which can be installed correctly.

The real problem (issue) is that RealFlight is "old" technology. The program has been an evolving app for 23+ years and goes back before we had "proper signing" for software and drivers. RealFlight needs to be modernized in several areas... signing, DirectX, usb support, etc.

The bottom line, if you want to use it, is to do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do.

marcus

 

[Rudolf]

The real problem (issue) is that RealFlight is "old" technology. The program has been an evolving app for 23+ years and goes back before we had "proper signing" for software and drivers. RealFlight needs to be modernized in several areas... signing, DirectX, usb support, etc.

The bottom line, if you want to use it, is to do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do.

marcus

I am writing only for me.
If I had known what problems this software had, I would have decided on a different one. It is clear to me why this software can be offered at half the price of competitors with these problems. However, I strongly question the sustainability of customer loyalty.

Rudi

 

[marcushh777]

If I had known what problems this software had, I would have decided on a different one. It is clear to me why this software can be offered at half the price of competitors with these problems. However, I strongly question the sustainability of customer loyalty.

The problem (as you'll discover) is that there is NO other product out there that even comes close; this is no hyperbole, nor exaggeration. I mean, if it were even close, I would have purchased the Linux app and been done with it! (this is the first Windows machine I have purchased in 30 years, dedicated primarily to RealFlight)

Now, if you're looking for a 'flight game' there are other choices certainly. Or if you're interested in the new Microsoft flight simulator ( not RC simulator ) then by all means. But, if you're looking to practice RC flying on a simulator so that you won't lose your 'real' (very pricey) aircraft from E-Flite, or Hangar 9, or Sig, whatever, then there is nothing on the market that even comes remotely close to RealFlight9 ( Rf9.5.031 )

PS edit: The sustainability of customer loyalty (see above) is one and the same. Granted, it is a niche community (AMA RC Hobby Loyalists) but it is a 'large' customer base, growing every day.


marcus

 

[BrokeDad]

I read that the newest version of Chrome was causing the corporate pay version of Windows Defender to mark it as a backdoor virus/trojan. So these things happen even to big companies like Google.

 

[marcushh777]

I read that the newest version of Chrome was causing the corporate pay version of Windows Defender to mark it as a backdoor virus/trojan. So these things happen even to big companies like Google.

Yes; indeed. The idea behind signing is really simple. AV programs are set to target (isolate and contain) files and executables that have not been "properly signed"; that is, given a coding that indicates that the executable has been vetted. This requires cooperation, communication, and at a certain level a degree of trust amongst AV companies and software engineers (development houses). Obviously older executables that pre-date the AV consortium "agreements" are going to fall outside the signing process; however, as BrokeDad points out this can also occur due to 'finger checks' and other kinds of critical errors.

marcus

 

[Rudolf]

The problem (as you'll discover) is that there is NO other product out there that even comes close; ...

marcus

Sorry I have to disagree, there is one good RC SIM on the market Aerofly from Ikarus (please google it I don't want to make PR for another product in this forum).

Rudi

 

[Rudolf]

You seem to be writing about the virus. That is really not KE/RF9.5 problem. All software gets snagged occasionally. You just tell your defender to ignore that one. I do not know of any better software at twice the price. If I did, I would own it. I have a LOT of flight sims. This is the best for model aircraft that I know of.

Take a look on Ikarus Aerofly. With this RC Sim you havn't got such problems.

Rudi

 

[marcushh777]

Sorry I have to disagree, there is one good RC SIM on the market Aerofly from Ikarus (please google it I don't want to make PR for another product in this forum).

In my opinion, in a side-by-side compare and contrast, the Aerofly product(s) don't compare favorably for the RC goals that I set for myself. Your mileage my vary, and by all means, enjoy!

marcus

 

[GeoffS]

I received my copy of RF9.5 yesterday and had considerable difficulty installing it. My BTMcAfee virus protect (supplied as part of my BT's isp package in the UK) reported a Trojan which I didn't associate with the CDrom for some time so I spent a few hours trying to 'clean' my W10 desktop PC for no real reason as it turns out.

Eventually I managed to install it by disabling my virus protection but thiis should not be necessary for a piece of s/w I've paid £100 for. I certainly won't be recommending RF to any of my aeromodelling friends (though I see few of them right now as we seem to have been in lockdown for ever - and is the reason I bought RF in the first place).

Another, possibly associated issue, is that I can find no means of updating the s/w nor how to acquire more models (though I haven't investigated models fully). In other s/w I use (including Phoenix flight sim) there's a simple update tab - in RF9.5 it doesn't exist - at least on my installation.

Whilst the physics seems to be very good and works well the rest is dire IMO. I'm very disappointed in my purchase.

Geoff

I tried downloading the supposed update which allegedley sorts out the virus/trojan problems. First, I had to disable my virus protection to get it to install (as I had to with the version from the CDroms), then all went well. I got the RF Launcher display. So I re-enabled the McAfee virus protect which immediately quarantined 2 files. Now RF won't run unless I access the files direct and/or configure the shortcut to point to the realflight.exe application file, which means I now have no means of updating.

This must be the worst s/w I've ever had the misfortune to buy. It truly is dreadful and a total con. Before eventually buying it I visited a few YouTube reviews and none of them even mentioned issues as regards installation. How do I go about getting a refund? I bought it from a UK supplier. I suppose I should try them first.

 

[GeoffS]

The problem (as you'll discover) is that there is NO other product out there that even comes close; this is no hyperbole, nor exaggeration. I mean, if it were even close, I would have purchased the Linux app and been done with it! (this is the first Windows machine I have purchased in 30 years, dedicated primarily to RealFlight)

Now, if you're looking for a 'flight game' there are other choices certainly. Or if you're interested in the new Microsoft flight simulator ( not RC simulator ) then by all means. But, if you're looking to practice RC flying on a simulator so that you won't lose your 'real' (very pricey) aircraft from E-Flite, or Hangar 9, or Sig, whatever, then there is nothing on the market that even comes remotely close to RealFlight9 ( Rf9.5.031 )

PS edit: The sustainability of customer loyalty (see above) is one and the same. Granted, it is a niche community (AMA RC Hobby Loyalists) but it is a 'large' customer base, growing every day.


marcus

So what you're saying is that RealFlight 9.5 needs a dedicated PC with no AV software installed and not connected to the internet. Moreover you need to be an IT expert to install it. That would be fine if Horizon Hobby make that clear in the advertising blub. What they are doing is selling leasure s/w which needs considerable IT skills to install to a market of amateurs who mostly know little about the inner working of their computers.

I've been retired for 30 years but I used to write low level software (mostly assembler) as part of my job as a hardware designer so I'm not entirely naive but I know little of system s/w though I can usually solve problems. This has got me beaten because I can't find a way of telling my McAfee AV to accept what it 'thinks' are threats to my system.

To suggest that I run without AV s/w running and stay away from porn sites in insulting in the extreme. Do you really think its only porn sites that attempt to infiltrate my PC (which has sensitive financial data)?

You may be impressed with a substandard, expensive product; I'm not.

Geoff

 

[Anti-Virus RF]

I am returning to the hobby after 2 years away for health reasons and thought I would start by picking up RF 9.5 from my local hobby store and avoid crashing my plane.

I just got home with the box and I was pretty excited until... this.

I have read Ryan Douglas' posts and it seems like a legit attempt to help folks.

But I don't think I will be satisfied by trying to decode various forum posts and temporarily disabling anti virus software. I'm typing this on a new Windows 10 machine that I have to use on the internet for other things.

So I am posting here and I also filled out the web form for tech support.

I hope I get a professional and effective response. I am giving up on enjoying this on my Saturday. I hope I don't have to give up on this permanently. Depending on the response I get, it's going to be really easy for me to walk away from the hobby for good.

Please help. Thanks In Advance.

 

[marcushh777]

So what you're saying is that RealFlight 9.5 needs a dedicated PC with no AV software installed and not connected to the internet. Moreover you need to be an IT expert to install it. <snip>

I'm saying no such thing.

This is a side-bar -- but it needs saying at this point -- Norton's and McAfee's are leaches.

Windows Defender is all you 'need' and Windows Defender will NOT flag Rf9.5 as a virus, nor trojan, etc. I have removed all of the third party AV leaches from my system, and I recommend that you remove them from your system as well. You have bought into the notion that somehow Rf9.5 is a problem software; never have you considered that your AV program(s) might be the villainy. ?

Windows computers are a mess. That has been true for forty+ years. Nothing has changed. What has been true is still true today... if you want to run software that requires Windows operating system(s) you are stuck with what you choose. Yes, I dedicated a Windows machine (first in thirty years) to RealFlight9. Rf9 just installed. No special skills, no problems. (for me) But, before I started I cleaned up the dedicated Windows machine... and much of that was to remove ALL of the third party UNNECESSARY AV software from the system. I have ONE firewall running (Windows) and I have Windows Defender running ... and that's it.

If you continue to play the 'Windows World' game, you deserve what you get. I do all of my 'real' computing on Linux|GNU systems, and two Macs. I fly RC aircraft models on my Windows machine; without any problem. But I don't actually use this computer to do anything else! That would be irresponsible.

marcus

 

[technoid]

I tried downloading the supposed update which allegedley sorts out the virus/trojan problems. First, I had to disable my virus protection to get it to install (as I had to with the version from the CDroms), then all went well. I got the RF Launcher display. So I re-enabled the McAfee virus protect which immediately quarantined 2 files. Now RF won't run unless I access the files direct and/or configure the shortcut to point to the realflight.exe application file, which means I now have no means of updating.

This must be the worst s/w I've ever had the misfortune to buy. It truly is dreadful and a total con. Before eventually buying it I visited a few YouTube reviews and none of them even mentioned issues as regards installation. How do I go about getting a refund? I bought it from a UK supplier. I suppose I should try them first.

I'm curious when you disabled your antivirus and installed RF and finally got the RF Launcher Display did you use UPDATE and get the RF 9.5.031 version BEFORE you enabled your antivirus again? I ask because that's the version with the signed files which is suppose to be the fix.

If you ENABLED your antivirus BEFORE UPDATING to RF 9.5.031 then it's expected that your antivirus will quarantine those 2 files.

I do understand your concern but I've been using RealFlight and modeling aircraft for it for a long time and this problem with antivirus software is the first problem I remember having with it. It always installed the first time and worked for me.

Granted they messed up big time by not testing it enough before releasing it and of course the initial release should have had the signed files too but I'll give them a break because of my past experience with them.

What I think happened is they used a technique to hide a part of their software from pirates and it back fired on them because that made it look like something malicious to antivirus software. Yes they messed up badly but they're a good company just small and made a bad mistake. So please let me know if you had updated to RF 9.5.031 BEFORE turning your antivirus back on. They probably keep tabs on this thread and I'm sure they'd want to know too. Thanks !

 

[GeoffS]

I have, at last, sorted out RF on my system but it's been a struggle.

I'm afraid the timeline for my installation difficulties is somewhat confused. I tried a lot of things and installed in various locations. I have a separate SDD which, being faster, was where I tried the first install and succeeded as I thought after disconnecting my PC from the web and disabling McAfee. However, as soon as I re-enabled the AV s/w the Launcher failed as its target had been quarantined. I got RF9.5 running by directly accessing the .exe file (and creating a new shortcut) and, I agree it works well, but I couldn't updatethe s/w.

I managed to acquire the new s/w directly from the web (HH website or here? Not sure ) and, after disabling the AV was able to install it all and put it where it wanted (C: programs(64)) rather where I wanted it on my SDD. It all went swimmingly until I switched the AV back on and the link was quarantined. I'm not really familiar with how to configure McAfee but I found that by disabling it I couldn't select a file to put in the exceptions folder so I changed the settings so it didn't examine files. I was then able to select Launcher9.exe and RealFlight.exe (and anything else I could think of related to RealFlight including RealFlight_9.5_installer.exe, probably unnecessarily) and every thing now works.

As I stand right now, I removed all of RealFlight from my PC other than the update installer because there were files all over the place and I like my HD tidy and I like to know where my data are stored. I then restricted my AV s/w as above and re-loaded RF9.5 successfully as the current, up todate version. However, once the AV was switched back on the Launcher link was quarantined, so I had to go through the process of restoring it and putting it in the Exceptions' file. Now it all seems tidy, and is working.

What does annoy me is that this issue isn't highlighted and initially I thought I had a problem with my machine unconnected with RF so I spent a lot of time reconfiguring with a fairly recent Ststem Image back-up which was very tiresome. I knew nothing of this until I came here looking for answers - and got few. I've been retired over 25 years but I've been involved with electronics and eventually microprocessors all my life. I used to write a lot of assembler as embedded s/w for measuremnt and control systems so I'm not totally inexperienced. How a total IT novice would overcome this issue I don't know.

There is a full back cover advert for RF9.5 in the latest issue of the BMFA News (I'm British) which arrived about a week ago. This s/w should be withdrawn from sale until a user friendly solution is found or, at the very least, the potential difficulties should be highlighted. An honest company would do that. Look at the furore in the US over VWs emission issues and how car manufacturers treat problems for example.

I'd apologise for the rant but I'm afraid I think it's justified.

Geoff

 

[marcushh777]

<snip> ... and disabling McAfee. However, as soon as I re-enabled the AV s/w the Launcher failed as its target had been quarantined. <snip>

Well, again, in this case the problem is not Rf9.5; the problem is McAfee. And as I've ranted before, the problem has always 'been' McAfee. The secondary problem is Windows. Files should NOT be executable because they have an EXE in their filename... they should be executable because they have file-system permissions to run, regardless of their name. Enter unix-like systems (linux|GUN, Mac OSX, etc).

But, the third problem (and about half of your rant) has to do with the fact that RealFlight is in flux. The original company was bankrupt, bought out by HH, and has some really 'unknown' level of real update. The main problem here is that HH is a marketing house, and not a software house. Eventually they will get this sorted, and RealFlight will take-off again, if you'll pardon the pun.

In the mean time, seriously, I would disable McAfee permanently. Use Windows Defender, and keep it updated. You'll be fine. As you have found, third party AV softwares cause more problems than they are worth.

marcus

 

[GeoffS]

I've been involved with so many OS in my life from Flex and OS9 for MC68xxx to CPM, DOS and versions of Windows from 3.1 to 10 for Intel etc I'm too old at 81 to mess about with Linux (I have had small dealings with Unix).

It's clear that McAfee is a problem for RF9.5 rather than the reverse. In fact, because it has picked up some poor programming and found them to be exhibiting doubtful features that makes me determined to keep it running. It's obviously a bit stricter than the Win10 AV s/w and, as it's caused me zero problems anywhere else and it's free with my ISP, it'll stay. Phoenix Simulator continues to run OK. I'm not a Spektrum user but I'm using my Frsky Horus X10 with a Jumper 16 Multiprotocol unit plugged into the module slot which seems to work OK.

Anyway, my main gripe remains - HH should at least warn potential users of installation problems and suggest ways round them.

On a positive note I've been flying the Sopwith Pup in RF and it's very good. I've had a 1:5.5 scale Pup ready to test fly for several months and it's relieving some of my frustrations. I did knock together a Das Liddle Stik converted to 3S electric from a free plan early last year and managed to test fly that so that was something.

Geoff

 

[marcushh777]

On a positive note I've been flying the Sopwith Pup in RF and it's very good. I've had a 1:5.5 scale Pup ready to test fly for several months and it's relieving some of my frustrations. I did knock together a Das Liddle Stik converted to 3S electric from a free plan early last year and managed to test fly that so that was something.

Check out @technoid RAF SE5a EA : https://forums.realflight.com/index.php?resources/raf-se5a_ea.24919/
... has detailed panel, multiple cameras, and its a hoot to fly; beauty

marcus