AVG says projector.exe is a virus

I've suddenly got that too "EngageProjector.exe" 1,705 kB is reported as a Trojan horse

and PresenterProjector.exe too

Martin, are you using AVG Free too?

Same error for me using AVG Free.

I got this today as well. Projector.exe is reported as a generic Trojan horse by AVG Business Edition. I assume it's a false positive caused by today's AVG update. A file scan with Windows Defender does not report anything.

Thanks for the inputs. So, it seems projector.exe is indeed a legitimate Articulate file. 
Let's wait for a response from an Articulate rep.

Hi all,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention and we also saw a few support cases over the weekend with the same thing. Looks to be a false positive within AVG, but we're digging in deeper to see what could cause it so that we can report them to AVG here.  You can also use that form, just be sure to reference the file name that you received an error for in the “Details about the problem” section. 

We'll keep you posted here once we've got additional information too!

strangely I have studio 13 on another PC and also have AVG ran the virus checker
on the same files and it came up clean. Reinstalled and 'repaired' the studio
13 on the other PC (the PC with the AVG warning) noticed the projector files
were reinstalled rebooted and AVG went and did its thing again and quarantined
the two files. Very strange.

Hi - no its paid for Jorge.  Strangely I have studio 13 on another PC and also have AVG ran the virus checker on the same files and it came up clean.  Reinstalled and 'repaired' the studio 13 on the other PC (the PC with the AVG warning) noticed the projector files were reinstalled rebooted and AVG went and did its thing again and quarantined the two files.  Very strange.

Hello all,

If you encounter a "False-Positive" report from AVG, I'd recommend excluding the Articulate installation folder: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Articulate" from AVG active scanning. Below are the instructions I acquired from the AVG website. If you are unable to execute the steps due to company restrictions, I'd recommend contacting your local IT or AVG support for assistance.

http://drops.articulate.com/wk2Y

In my recent attempt to update the AVG Free settings I found the steps below were more accurate in solving the issue. AVG has recently updated their user interface and it does not appear that the instructions from their support site reflect these changes.

Adding Exception in AVG Free

1) Open AVG Free
2) Open/Click “Antivirus Free” application
3) Click “Menu” in top bar
4) Select “Settings”
5) General > Exceptions
6) Browse button (check the box next to C:\Program Files (x86)\Articulate\ folder
7) Click OK
8) The file path that remains should look like "C:\Program Files (x86)\Articulate\*"

Screenshot

I'll just point out that Bret's solution ONLY WORKS "IF you encounter a "False-Positive" report from AVG". So the ONLY WAY we will be 100% confident is ONLY WHEN AVG answers our question & confirms whether projector.exe has a virus or not. I got the same error as well from AVG Free & I submitted projector.exe to AVG for analysis. There's a fair chance that it will be a "False-Positive" (in normal terms, meaning AVG "positively" identified it as a virus, but that's a "False" identification, it's not really a virus), but Note that IF AVG confirms it is a "False-Positive", AVG will "update their detection engine" so AVG likely won't answer every individual that had this problem.

I suggest that Articulate communicate with AVG so that they get the answer as soon as possible to post in this thread. AVG may be more apt to answer the Articulate company before it answers any of us individuals. But of course, if any of us (customers) get an answer, we will be sure to post it here.

If someone's AVG has already "solved" the issue by putting projector.exe in the virus vault, then excluding Articulate's folder (Bret's solution) will not get your Storyline working. To get Storyline working again, in AVG click "Options" menu, "Virus Vault", then select the projector.exe file & clicke the "Restore" button. 

p.s. Bret, I'm not trying to rag on your posted solution, it's solid. I'm just trying to give a more exact understanding for users, so they can make an informed decision based on their comfort level.

Good afternoon, Kelly. 

Thank you for your candid reply and further clarification on the issue. Other members on ELH who've encountered this issue will find your level of detail very helpful.

In regards to Articulate reaching out to AVG... we communicated the issue to them directly early this morning and will update this thread as soon as we hear back. 

All the best.

Any response about this issue?
Was it solved?

Hi Marcos,

I don't believe we've heard back from AVG yet, but were you able to follow Bret's steps from earlier in this discussion? I'll also have Bret check in on the status with AVG.