[Bug]: Avast doesn't like the 9.5 Pre-Release 1

[MonsterSe7en]

Checklist

• I am using an up-to-date version.
• I have read the documentation.
• I have searched existing issues.

TagStudio Version

9.5 Pre-Release 1

Operating System & Version

Windows 11

Description

Quick note / FYI. Avast doesn't like the Pre-Release 1.

Imma just 'Open Anyway' but I thought I'd let you know.....

As always, thank you for your work!! Much appretiated!!

Expected Behavior

Open the software without triggering any antivirus software

Steps to Reproduce

Downloaded the Pre-Release 1

Extracted to C Drive

Opened it

Flagged by Avast

Logs

No response

[CyanVoxel]

Thank you for the report!

Unfortunately this is something that the program has has issues with ever since the first PyInstaller builds. There's an original issue for it here: #276 and a pinned discussion for it here: #294. #361 and #420 are possible solutions, but other than that our only other option would be to go through an (expensive) code signing process in order to "for real" let antivirus programs know that everything's okay.

[MonsterSe7en]

Hey, attempted to download Pre-Release 3.

Now Avast is going crazy and isn't allowing me to download the .zip file

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Pre-Release 1 and 2 made Avast raise an eyebrow and gave me the option to 'Open Anyway' but Pre-Release 3 calls it a 'Malware'

Please note that I am able to download the .zip for Pre-Release 2 with zero issues

[CyanVoxel]

Hey, attempted to download Pre-Release 3.

Now Avast is going crazy and isn't allowing me to download the .zip file

Pre-Release 1 and 2 made Avast raise an eyebrow and gave me the option to 'Open Anyway' but Pre-Release 3 calls it a 'Malware'

Again, each anti-virus program treats each one of our releases differently no matter what is actually changed inside the build. Windows Defender is also guilty of this, telling me that each version of TagStudio has some completely different trojan depending on both the Windows Defender version as well as TagStudio version. It's just not possible for us to reason with false positives due to them being, well, false

[MonsterSe7en]

Understandable.... May I know which Antivirus Program you run??

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I've installed various programs. Bitdefender is supposed to be the best, but it yeets most programs without any consent from my end, AVG is slightly better. Avast was the most flexible but is testing my patience now.

Your recommendation would be highly appreciated