AI2 and anti virus

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Assigned to halatmi...@gmail.com by steve....@gmail.com

An Schi

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Oct 27, 2014, 6:48:53 AM10/27/14
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Hey guys!

Two years ago i made an app with the old AI and had problems with AVG recignizing the app as maleware. By googling i found out that more people had this problem when publishing apps with AI.

Is this issue solved with the new version (and/or with husseins version)?

Thanks for answers!

Enis

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Oct 27, 2014, 10:01:22 AM10/27/14
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There was a rumor that some people had been using AI to create apps that import malware, but so far, there's no proof of that which we have seen, but we're looking into it.  AI does get flagged as a virus by AVG (I think that's the one) and one other, but it easily passes most, including Norton.  There are only a few av programs that flag it as so.

Hal Abelson

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Oct 27, 2014, 11:27:31 AM10/27/14
to mitappinv...@googlegroups.com, Jeff Schiller, Andrew F McKinney
Enis,

Be cautious.  You don't know that the malware (reality or rumor) has anything to do with AV programs flagging AI.

Do you have real information about that?


SteveJG

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Oct 27, 2014, 12:15:07 PM10/27/14
to mitappinv...@googlegroups.com, j...@mit.edu, mcki...@mit.edu
The fact is, MIT hasn't a clue.    Here is what the moderators know:

AI2 has a small history on the forum where various virus checkers (none of the major brands) report AI2 as containing a virus.   It appeared after the discussions, these were false positives.   One user contacted a vendor (I do not remember which one but think it was AVG)  had a checker that reported ANY App Inventor app contained virus'.   He got them to give AI2 programs a clean bill of health  It is very possible some of the PC article that appeared recently:  http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/mobile-security/328664-mobile-threat-monday-android-attackers-use-app-inventor-for-evil has its origins here.


Here are links to several reported 'virus' issues with App Inventor discussed in the forum.  AVG, Eset, AVAST have variously reported as causing connection issues preventing AI2 from working with the emulator.   However, along the way, virus checkers have variously reported some or all AI2 programs as being trojans etc.     












AI2 is a powerful tool that has the ability to do mischief in the wrong hands.  I advise users to use cautions with apk files that do not come from Google Play.   I would never load an apk without my Android virus app turned on.

Regards,
Steve

Enis

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Oct 27, 2014, 6:37:29 PM10/27/14
to mitappinv...@googlegroups.com, j...@mit.edu, mcki...@mit.edu
No... But we do know that AVG (I think that's it) has been flagging AI for a while... there are lots of reports up here on the forum.
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