Applies to: Sophos Home for Windows
Some games behave in ways that might trigger antivirus protections, which will block them from running. For Sophos Home, this is typically related to our Exploit module. Most game incompatibilities can be addressed by Adding local exclusions/Allowing Installations and/or applications to run
The following games have been identified as being incompatible with Sophos Home. The recommended workarounds are listed in each scenario.
⚠️Attack Intercepted when using Easy Anti Cheat (EAC)
We are aware that when launching games using Easy Anti Cheat (EAC), Sophos Home may trigger "Attack Intercepted" alerts on launch.
Our Product team is working on improving game compatibility in the future. The expected date for a compatibility update is Mid 2023.
WORKAROUND
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path examples:
C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe
C:\Program Files\EA Games\Battlefield 2042\BF2042.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iRacing\iRacingSim64DX11.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
⚠️Attack Intercepted when launching Steam Games on Win 10
We are aware that some Windows 10 Steam games might trigger "Attack Intercepted" alerts on launch.
Our Product team is working on improving game compatibility in the future. The expected date for a compatibility update is Mid 2023.
Example of detection
WORKAROUND
- Click Manage to access your Sophos Home Dashboard
- On the detection, click Show Advanced Options
- Click Allow and Unblock via Did we get this wrong? to whitelist the game
- Choose Allow Behavior (preferred option), or if desired Allow application (this will whitelist any mitigation coming from this application from now on).
- If the changes don't take place in a few minutes, restart your computer
If the problems persist, add a local exclusion for the affected games using these steps as a reference
Add a local exclusion
Battlefield 2042
Symptoms:
Sophos Home will report APC Violation malicious behaviors are being prevented while trying to play Battlefield 2042.
Solution:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Program Files\EA Games\Battlefield 2042\BF2042.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Call of Duty games
Call of Duty Warzone and COD Modern Warfare
Symptoms: When attempting to launch Warzone it will not respond
Follow these steps to add a local exclusion:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path examples:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Call of Duty Modern Warfare\ModernWarfare.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Activision\Call of Duty Modern Warfare\ModernWarfare.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Call Of Duty: Vanguard
If you experience issues with this game, try these steps:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Call of Duty Vanguard\Vanguard.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
If you experience issues with this game, try these steps:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War\BlackOpsColdWar.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
If you experience issues with this game, try these steps:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2\ModernWarfare2.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Please note: If you are launching the game through the Activision Blizzard Launcher, additional exclusions may be required, similar to the following:
C:\Games\Blizzard\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2\_retail_\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2.exe
C:\Games\Blizzard\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2\_retail_\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2-loader.dll
C:\Games\Blizzard\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2\Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Launcher.exe
Diablo II Resurrected
Symptoms: During gameplay, you may get a Dynamic Shell Code detection for Diablo II Resurrected
Solution: Adding a local exclusion for the game executable (D2R.exe) path will resolve this issue.
Diablo 3
Symptoms:
On Windows 7 6.1.7601 SP1 build 7601 Diablo 3 will crash on launch if Sophos Home's Exploit Mitigation is active. This is due to a conflict between these applications in this environment.
Solution:
This can be resolved by adding a local exclusion for the path of the game executable (Diablo III64.exe).
This issue is not present on Windows 10.
Elder Scrolls Online
Symptoms:
After launching Elder Scrolls Online, it immediately closes due to a conflict with Sophos Home's exploit mitigation feature.
Solution:
This can be resolved by adding a local exclusion for the path of the game executable.
Fallout 76
Symptoms:
Launching Fallout 76 will be blocked by Sophos Home if Exploit Mitigation protection is active.
Solution:
Adding a local exclusion for the game executable (Project76_GamePass.exe) path will resolve this issue. NOTE: You may not able to add a local exclusion directly by selecting the game executable (Project76_GamePass.exe) path because of a file permission issue.
Workaround steps:
1. Open Sophos Home application system tray
2. Click on "Help" on the left side
3. Select "Troubleshooting"
4. Click on "Add local exclusion"
5. Copy the game executable path:
(For example, copy- C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Mutable\BethesdaSoftworks.Fallout76-PC_1.0.30.0_x64__3275kfvn8vcwc\Project76_GamePass.exe)
6. Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
7. Above steps will add the local exclusion for Project76_GamePass.exe
FiveM mod for GTA 5
Symptoms:
This mod will be prevented from running by Sophos Home's Exploit mitigation feature.
Solution:
This can be resolved by adding a local exclusion for the path of the FiveM executable (typically C:\Users\{{UserName}}\AppData\Local\FiveM\FiveM.app\cache\subprocess\FiveM_GTAProcess.exe
Fortnite
Symptoms:
Sophos Home will report APC Violation malicious behaviors are being prevented while trying to play Fortnite.
Solution:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Fortnite\FortniteGame\Binaries\Win64\FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Forza Horizon games
Symptoms:
You are unable to launch Forza Horizon games due to Sophos Home blocking it, or nothing happening. For example: Launching Forza Horizon 4 will be blocked by Sophos Home if Risk Reduction protection is active.
Solution:
Adding a local exclusion for the game executable (for example: ForzaHorizon4.exe) path will resolve this issue.
NOTE: You may not be able to add a local exclusion directly by selecting the game executable (for example: ForzaHorizon4.exe) path because of a file permission issue.
You'll need to find the game executable file, and add the entire path (which may change from computer to computer) -
Path examples for Forza Horizon games
These paths may slightly change from computer to computer, however, the .exe file will be the same.
Local Exclusions
Forza Horizon 3:
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OpusPG_1.0.125.2_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe\forza_x64_release_final.exe
Forza Horizon 4:
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.SunriseBaseGame_1.474.687.2_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe\ForzaHorizon4.exe
Follow these steps to add the Local exclusion:
1. Open Sophos Home application system tray
2. Click on "Help" on the left side
3. Select "Troubleshooting"
4. Click on "Add local exclusion"
5. Copy the game executable path from the C: drive (this will exist regardless of where the actual game installation is located- Refer to Path examples for ideas where to search)
6. Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
7. You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Halo Infinite
Symptoms: When attempting to launch Halo Infinite, it may not respond/crash
Follow these steps to add a local exclusion for HaloInfinite.exe:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy
HaloInfinite.exe
executable path
Path example:
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.254428597CFE2_1.3242.15531.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\HaloInfinite.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" and click Open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Hitman 3
Symptoms: When attempting to launch Hitman 3, it may not respond/crash
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\IOInteractiveAS.PC-HITMAN3-BaseGame_1.0.16.0_x64__6h0y724g59e1w\Retail\hitman3.exe
6. Paste it under "Add a local exclusion" and click Open
You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
iRacing
Symptoms:
Sophos Home will report APC Violation malicious behaviors are being prevented while trying to play iRacing.
Solution:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\iRacing\iRacingSim64DX11.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
League of Legends
Symptoms:
When attempting to launch League of Legends, it will not start, or will crash shortly after trying to start.
Solution:
Adding a local exclusion for the game executable (C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Game\League of Legends.exe) path will resolve this issue.
NOTE: If you have installed the game to a different location, you will want to use that location instead.
Workaround steps:
1. Open Sophos Home application system tray
2. Click on "Help" on the left side
3. Select "Troubleshooting"
4. Click on "Add local exclusion"
5. Copy the game executable path:
(For example, copy- C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Game\League of Legends.exe)
6. Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
7. Above steps will add the local exclusion for League of Legends
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Symptoms:
Launching Mass Effect Legendary Edition will be blocked by Sophos Home if Prevent code cave utilization is active.
Solution:
Adding a local exclusion for the game executable (MassEffectLauncher.exe) path will resolve this issue
(for example C:\OriginGames\Mass Effect Legendary Edition\Game\Launcher\MassEffectLauncher.exe)
Overwatch 2
Symptoms:
Overwatch 2 will crash a couple seconds after start up with Sophos Home installed.
Solution:
Adding a local exclusion for the following paths should resolve this issue:
C:\Games\Blizzard\Overwatch\_retail_\Overwatch.exe
C:\Games\Blizzard\Overwatch\_retail_\Overwatch-loader.dll
C:\Games\Blizzard\Overwatch\Overwatch Launcher.exe
Note: Overwatch 2 may be installed to a different location than C:\Games\Blizzard\Overwatch\
on your system. Other common locations include C:\Program Files (x86)\
, C:\Program Files\
, and additional drives besides C:
(such as D:
, E:
, or other letters).
Sea of Thieves
Symptoms:
After launching Sea of Thieves, it immediately closes due to a conflict with Sophos Home's exploit mitigation feature.
Solution:
This can be resolved by adding a local exclusion for the path of the game executable.
Sims 4
Symptoms:
When launching Sims 4 through origin the game crashes.
Solution:
This can be resolved by adding a local exclusion for the path of the game executable (typically c:\program files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\TS4_x64.exe) OR by toggling off 'Prevent code cave utilization' under the advanced settings for exploit mitigation (this last option is the least recommended, as it will leave the computer vulnerable to code cave attacks).
Star Citizen
Symptoms:
Sophos Home will report APC Violation malicious behaviors are being prevented while trying to play Star Citizen.
Solution:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\StarCitizen\StarCitizen\PTU\Bin64\StarCitizen.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
Star Wars - Rogue Squadron on EA Origin
Symptoms:
Updating Star Ware Squadrons in EA Origin will fail with Sophos Home's ransomware protection enabled.
Solution:
The workaround is to temporarily disable this feature. This is done at the user's discretion with the understanding that you may not be protected against Ransomware while this feature is disabled and should be immediately turned back on once the update is completed.
This is done by toggling the Ransomware setting to the left (off) on the Ransomware tab of your Sophos Home Dashboard for the affected device.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
Symptoms:
Sophos Home will report APC Violation malicious behaviors are being prevented while trying to play Tom Clancy's The Division 2.
Solution:
- Open Sophos Home application system tray
- Click on "Help" on the left side
- Select "Troubleshooting"
- Click on "Add local exclusion"
- Copy the game executable path (if you are using a drive other than C:, the exclusion will not appear, but it WILL work)
Path example:
C:\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher\games\Tom Clancy's The Division 2\TheDivision2.exe
- Paste it under "Add local exclusion" > Select open
- You may need to restart your computer for it to take the changes
World of Warcraft (WoW)
Symptoms:
On Windows 7 6.1.7601 SP1 build 7601 WoW will crash on launch if Sophos Home's Exploit Mitigation is active. This is due to a conflict between these applications in this environment.
Solution:
This can be resolved by adding a local exclusion for the path of the game executable (Wow.exe). This issue is not present on Windows 10.