Antivirus software blocking trading terminals

[Shadow Trader]

A trading platform that freezes at random, loses its data folder, or refuses to start after an update might be getting blocked, not broken.

Real-time scanning can slow file access, particularly for platforms writing lots of small files such as tick history. Some antivirus programs also flag custom indicators and expert advisors as suspicious, quarantining them without notice.

Adding the platform folder to the exclusion list usually solves it. Care is needed, since excluding a folder reduces protection. Only add folders from trusted sources, and keep the rest of the system protected.

On a dedicated trading machine or VPS, a lean security setup with firewall rules and minimal extra software is often the most stable approach.

Many antivirus tools also have a gaming or silent mode that reduces background scans during certain periods. Scheduling full scans for the weekend, outside market hours, avoids the worst slowdowns during the week.

Has security software ever interfered with a trading platform, and what was the fix?