How to create program exception with AVG Antivirus

6/2/10

By Scott Friend

Occasionally antivirus software will mark your CAT software as an unwanted (or unsafe) program.  To correct this problem, or to make sure this doesn't happen, users of the AVG Antivirus software can follow these steps to make sure their CAT Software is not targeted as an unwanted program.

"Potentially Unwanted Programs" sometimes act very similarly to viruses or spyware. They are usually installed legitimately as a part of another program (often designated as an "AD-Supported program" – in which the End User License Agreement typically prompts the user to accept that, in addition to the desired program, an additional program (Potentially Unwanted Program) will also be installed).

AVG is able to detect some Potentially Unwanted Programs and remove the detected files.
NOTE: Removal of the Potentially Unwanted Programs can result in damage to the AD-Supported program which was installed with them.

It is also possible to create exception for files detected as Potentially unwanted. Such files included in exceptions will not be detected as threats any more.

If you need to exclude a certain "Potentially unwanted program" from any detection by AVG (for example if you are using an Ad-sponsored program or utility, which could be dangerous, but could also be used with your knowledge), you can exclude it from AVG Resident Shield and AVG scans detection this way:

• Please open the AVG program -> "Tools" menu -> "Advanced settings" -> "PUP exceptions" -> push the "Add exception" button to add a new exception.
• Now find the file you want to exclude from AVG detection. If you are not sure that the file location is static, enable "Any location - do not use full path" function.
  • This will be the path to your CAT Software executable file.  If you are unsure WHERE this file is, find the icon on your desktop which launches the file, RIGHT click it and choose PROPERTIES from the menu that drops down.  In the new window that appears, look in the text box labeled TARGET, which will tell you not only WHERE your program is located but also which file (typically an EXE file) is located. 
• Save the setting using the "Add" button.

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 scans and the AVG Resident Shield.

These exceptions are not used for the AVG Email Scanner.

Note: These exceptions can be created for files only, not for folders.

Category: Technology Tips & Tricks

Tags: antivirus