Virus on P3Dv4 Addon Organiser

[Saithai 0]

There is a virus, possibly ransomware, on the P3D4 Addon Organiser.

I have tried to download the file several times over the past few days and on each occasion Windows Defender has flagged it as 'Severe'.

I have suggested that it might be Ransomware because my computer was recently infected with a Ransomware virus at approximately the same time that I first downloaded and installed P4AO.

Mike

[Lorby_SI 2,038]

6 hours ago, Saithai said:

There is a virus, possibly ransomware, on the P3D4 Addon Organiser.

I have tried to download the file several times over the past few days and on each occasion Windows Defender has flagged it as 'Severe'.

I have suggested that it might be Ransomware because my computer was recently infected with a Ransomware virus at approximately the same time that I first downloaded and installed P4AO.

Mike

Please take note of the red text at the top of the downloads page. All files come from a protected system and have been scanned for viruses when uploaded. Plus, the ZIP file is encrypted, so even if there was a virus in it, Defender would not be able to see it. What is being blocked is the download link itself, because somebody reported it as malicious. Or you are downloading it from somewhere else, which would not be wise. The lorby-si website is the only place where this app is officially available.

To be honest, I am getting tired of this game. End of the year all freeware downloads will be removed, so whoever is doing this got what they wanted. I give up, you win.

Edited December 6, 2022 by Lorby_SI

[Lorby_SI 2,038]

OK, just for completeness sakes.

1. I've downloaded "addonorganizer_1_56_b11.zip" from the lorby-si website just now with Microsoft Edge -> not blocked, I can download it without any interference.
2. I told Norton Security Premium to scan the ZIP file -> nothing to report. 
3. I used WinMD5 to check the MD5 code that is visible on the website -> it is the same file that has been uploaded months ago.

Edited December 6, 2022 by Lorby_SI

[Dave_YVR 973]

Defender is the virus in this case. 

[speedyTC 195]

I would suggest to the OP that he listen to the developer who has been a very active and productive member of the flightsim community (much appreciated, Lorby) and download the file 

Have the folder/file excluded from Defender (or whichever anti-virus programme) and install the app. It would be unfortunate not to use such a useful piece of software because of overzealous behaviour of Defender or any other antivirus for that matter.