In most cases it is just the heuristic that falsely flags files as malware. It is just a algorithm so it is bound to produce false positives from time to time. Especially if these files are unknown to the program (not contained in the regularily downloaded signatures) and if they access system files, the registry, specific RAM or hardware adresses.

Just a matter of files matching some of the set criteria. So they are flagged. Better safe than sorry.

And that doesn't mean you have to uninstall your chosen Antimalware/-virus-Software. Just set an exception for the wrongly flagged files and everything is fine.

McAfee is better at snorting coke than removing viruses, that's for sure.

Yeah, McAfee is terrible to have for being paid software (even if they have free varieties out there). Every single time I have had it on there, it would literally slow down the entire system.

Norton/Symantec is extremely finicky when it comes to certain programs. It will certainly delete even important or relatively safe files on your system.

Only known issues I can think of for PCMatic is that Super Shield can be finicky when trying to open programs (make sure to set it to notifications or turn it off). If you feel that it disables the wrong services, feel free to also turn that off.

Best option happens to be that some free solutions exist that work better and are far less finicky. I know Malware Bytes can do wonders considering running a free copy of it (fixed a case of nasty malware on some systems that dealt with hijacking browser settings and trying to send data to a particular proxy).

LOL Norton

Is it just me or does Bandock's avatar look like a Klansman? :P

More like a xenomorph with a pixie hat.

I just hope DivisionByZero doesn't read that. He'll downvote me for derailing and report me as Spam, as he promised. XD

No, I'm afraid you're still the only one looking like a Klansman... :P

Why on earth is this even an issue? I thought that by now, people generally knew that Norton was a piece of garbage that couldn't tell its ass from its left elbow.

I can appreciate that Norton is a pile of garbage in comparison to other antivirus software, but I just want to PSA here a bit and say that people need to take virus warnings more seriously -- particularly the gaming community in general as PC gamers probably come across and run many times more unique executables with administrative privileges than the average user.

So many times I have seen people simply parrot 'false positive' on files which are in fact extremely suspect while lambasting the person reporting it, and it is my belief that in many cases it is possible to socially engineer a false sheen of security by simply creating an account on a public forum and blasting 'false positive' everywhere in order to create a generally lax attitude towards computer security.

We are currently in a dangerous era with respect to technology, as people begin to wield and give their computers more power and more access to their private information but are often oblivious to how easy it is for someone to spy on or steal these things. Always do your due diligence and never just trust some anonymous person on a public forum when it comes to running executables on your PC, no matter how reliable the source of the information or the executable seems.

Some weird compressed executables tend to give false positives.

I use Windows Defender (default Windows 8.x antivirus) + Malwarebytes and rarely get false positives.

Forget Norton
Use BitDefender

Norton is oh so many years ago.

Ditch it.

I know I'm a bit late with this, but I definitely have to second the "xenomorph with pixie hat" thing!

I use Microsoft Security Essentials, coz it's free