Avira Antivirus update cripples millions of Windows PCs

[Brink]

Avira has sent out a defective antivirus update that is causing paid versions of its product to block critical Windows processes and third-party software, effectively rendering millions of PCs unusable.

Read more at:
Avira Antivirus update cripples millions of Windows PCs | ZDNet

 

[DustSailor]

That is quite embarrassing for one of the most top rated antiviruses...

Remember that time MSE blocked Google chrome because it detected it as malware? That wasn't near as bad as shutting out the operating system for all PAID subscribers...

Each of these gotta get back on their game, little problems like these add up.

Good read, Brink

 

[Night Hawk]

A few years back AVG saw a bad update people were warned about. Every so often regardless of which software company or product an update may end up seeing a coding error. Best to disable automatic updates until a particular company resolves the problem.

 

[windude99]

I'm glad I use Microsoft Security Essentials. THIS is one of the reasons why I don't use third party antivirus products.

 

[DustSailor]

I'm glad I use Microsoft Security Essentials. THIS is one of the reasons why I don't use third party antivirus products.

Yea, I'm sure MSE won't be shutting out Microsoft's OSes that it runs on any time soon. And I too love how well it integrates with Windows. If its detection rate is a few points off other leading antiviruses, that is completely fine with me. I'm just happy it is lightweight, and offers excellent detection while its at it.

 

[Borg 386]

A few years back AVG saw a bad update people were warned about. Every so often regardless of which software company or product an update may end up seeing a coding error. Best to disable automatic updates until a particular company resolves the problem.

Good point. I usually wait a day or 2 before applying Windows updates to make sure something isn't causing problems. Other programs are set to "Notify me of an update, but do not install." It's saved me headaches a few times, when a update/fix was put out, only to read the next day it was causing havoc.

 

[DustSailor]

I usually wait a day or 2 before applying Windows updates to make sure something isn't causing problems. Other programs are set to "Notify me of an update, but do not install." It's saved me headaches a few times, when a update/fix was put out, only to read the next day it was causing havoc.

But that means I actually have to read. Too much work

 

[Brink]

Update:

http://www.sevenforums.com/security...ix-offers-details-pc-crashing-update-bug.html

 

[Night Hawk]

A few years back AVG saw a bad update people were warned about. Every so often regardless of which software company or product an update may end up seeing a coding error. Best to disable automatic updates until a particular company resolves the problem.

Good point. I usually wait a day or 2 before applying Windows updates to make sure something isn't causing problems. Other programs are set to "Notify me of an update, but do not install." It's saved me headaches a few times, when a update/fix was put out, only to read the next day it was causing havoc.

In the last couple of years here I've been running with the VIPRE Home Premium version of GFI software formerly Sunbelt with a large surprise of no longer needing multiple programs for adwares, spywares, and then for another av program. The program is so light weight you don't even know when it is running a scheduled scan and has caught bugs inside downloads stored over several years all other programs have missed! Well except for the updated Windows Defender being the rebranded MS Security Essential that will be seen in the next version.

So what was the one problem with VIPRE? The transitional update for the latest version being VIPRE Internet 2012 when going on as an update installed a network adapter filter that was knocking people offline! When installed separately however no problem was seen as the latest version. GFI went right to work for a solution while I found simply uninstalling all items for Network adapters in the Device Manager after shutting VIPRE down and then restarting the system saw the IE connection restored and passed along to their support.

I'm not suprised to see that Avira also seems to have worked fast on a resolve too! The AVG bug a few years simply removed a few system files it saw as false positives until that was solved at the time. Most companies will want to clean up any goobered updates fast to maintain their rep! since all are competing with each other. This report will be the good news for anyone running Avira.

 

[A Guy]

Avira "fixes" PC-crippling update bug

On Monday, Avira issued a faulty Service Pack for all of its products running on 32-bit versions of Windows, which resulted in massive problems for users as the AntiVirProActiv component began detecting pretty much every executable as malware.

Source

ProActiv Application Blocking: Latest Information and Solutions

The application blocking issue has been settled in our latest product update. The current versions of Avira’s Windows desktop products are now operating smoothly.

We are working hard to get to the bottom of the problem. Until a permanent fix is available, the ProActiv module remains disabled.

Background:

On May 14 and 15, 2012, following the release of Service Pack 0 (SP0) for Avira Version 2012, the ProActiv feature blocked legitimate Windows applications on customers’ PCs.

Affected products:
Avira Professional Security
Avira Internet Security 2012
Avira Antivirus Premium 2012

We deeply regret any difficulties this has caused you. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Source

A Guy

 

[Night Hawk]

That right there shows why they are trying to stay on top of things with an apology to their customer base. Here's a few shorts from another similar report.

Avira Issues Fix, Offers Details on PC-Crashing Update Bug

Written by Damon Poeter 17 May, 2012

bug antivirus security avira




Security company hit with rather embarassing bug

German antivirus vendor Avira on Wednesday issued a temporary fix for a bug that blocked trusted processes and safe applications, and in some cases even prevented PCs from booting. Avira also offered up more details about the glitch, which was found in a Monday software update issued to paid subscribers.

"By default ProActiv is an opt-in feature, so the infected base was not the entire base," Witteveen continued. "We do not know the exact number of those impacted, but we are confident we reacted immediately and communicated thoroughly."

According to H-Online, Avira's buggy update was downloaded more than 70 million times before the company pulled the plug on it. Those downloads do include installations on machines running the unaffected free version of Avira's AV product as well as systems where ProActiv is not turned on, however.

Read more: Avira Issues Fix, Offers Details on PC-Crashing Update Bug | ITProPortal.com


For them it would be embarrassing and why they "pulled the plug" rather quickly just like any other company would.
​

 

[djshonrock]

Thats one of the bestt n nw its gone!! guess mine is running fine till now..

 

[Night Hawk]

I never tried that one while VIPRE was the one recommended to me by someone who collects various viruses and malwares to run tests on various av and other programs on more then more once OS as well. None are ever 100% fool proof by the way!

Lately a 7 laptop running VIPRE was caught offguard with a fake ware that would get past any protections since it isn't even active when the executable first gets on the drive. Once you shutdown or restart Whamo! That's when it takes over things like the taskmanager and other things while posing a program you needed to buy!

But that's also why you buy av and other programs in the first place and expect them to be functional until one update comes out that has some bad coding and oops!

 

[M1GU31]

I've used the viper trial before and it seemed pretty good but i'm short on money so i'm with MSE atm and seems to be doing it's job and has stopped 2 intruders the last 6 months that i have been using it.My aunt has viper installed and it has stopped 3 trojans and removed 2 others that were in here system when installing and it seems to be running really good on her machine running windows vista with no slow downs what so ever.

 

[Night Hawk]

GFI just had a spring sale right when my first 2yr. sub was running out so I grabbed a 3yr. 2pc option. When first installing the new 8 CP the renamed form of Security Essentials or certainly improved Windows Defender flagged a bug inside a download in zip file format similar to what VIPRE had found previously when scanning the old XP files.

The MS ME finally got some malicious code detection working in the latest updated version! I'm going to prefer having a VIPRE subscription however for the firewall and web filtering it offers. But at least MS is now trying to surpass the free versions of programs like AVG which can be a big help for those on tight budgets.