OSNews: http://www.osnews.com/story/20525/AVG_Antivirus_Accidentally_Kills_Windows Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2009, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:24:56 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif OSNews.com http://www.osnews.com Comment by merkoth http://osnews.com/thread?337092 http://osnews.com/thread?337092 First that stupid browser extension that spammed the intertubes and now this. Hell, even being free, it isn't worth the money... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:21:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (merkoth) Comments IMO http://osnews.com/thread?337094 http://osnews.com/thread?337094 AVG IS a virus

hauehuaehua Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:32:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Michael Oliveira) Comments Comment by A.H. http://osnews.com/thread?337095 http://osnews.com/thread?337095 Seeing how 99% of the time it's the user's fault a system gets infected, it only makes sense to remove the user and solve this problem once and for all. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:34:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (A.H.) Comments RE: IMO http://osnews.com/thread?337096 http://osnews.com/thread?337096 It's hard to choose an antivirus...I had to, a few weeks ago and I chose Avast. I used ESET Nod32 previously but it didn't detect a specific virus that Avira Antivir detected, so I settled to Antivir but then they started popping up obnoxious FUD advertising everyday after daily updates, asking to buy their premium version for full protection. I removed Antivir and I'm now using Avast. So far so good, I'm glad I didn't decide to install AVG! Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:46:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Liquidator) Comments AVG is your Amigo http://osnews.com/thread?337097 http://osnews.com/thread?337097 It is 'funny' that they are concerned in remarking that "apparently the problem only affects users running XP in Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish."... as if it meant only a handfull of users are affected.

By the amount of calls I got since monday morning about he issue I am amazed at the lack of testing this issue reveals...

Furthermore, for what I've told, it appears that user intervention is not really required to be affected, as the update prevents the system to boot (in 'normal mode') if you reboot it after the update took place, regardless of any warning or deletetion of any system file.Edited 2008-11-12 18:00 UTC Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:55:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (UglyKidBill) Comments RE: IMO http://osnews.com/thread?337107 http://osnews.com/thread?337107 I think AVG had it right, Windows IS the virus... ;) Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:39:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (leech) Comments RE: Comment by A.H. http://osnews.com/thread?337121 http://osnews.com/thread?337121
Seeing how 99% of the time it's the user's fault a system gets infected, it only makes sense to remove the user and solve this problem once and for all.


Agreed, I haven't run any AntiVirus products in years and never had a single virus except maybe for one case that was my own fault (putting a "friends" HD in my computer).

I even always regret when I run a check once or twice a year since the only outcome is wasted time.

So, I think AVG is really on to something. ;-) Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:38:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (SANGEKi) Comments RE[2]: Comment by A.H. http://osnews.com/thread?337124 http://osnews.com/thread?337124 If you're not running an anti-virus, how do you know that you do not have a virus? Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:46:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (evangs) Comments RE[3]: Comment by A.H. http://osnews.com/thread?337127 http://osnews.com/thread?337127 As I said, I do run a check periodically.
In my first sentence I meant that I don't actively scan for anything.Edited 2008-11-12 20:01 UTC Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:56:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (SANGEKi) Comments AVG Fix is Available http://osnews.com/thread?337129 http://osnews.com/thread?337129 Folks, here is AVG's official response:

The problem only affects users of the Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish language versions of Windows XP SP2.

AVG has taken these steps to assist users in remedying the problem:
• Immediate release of a new update to correct the problem.
• Creation of a specific informational section on the AVG website that enables users to resolve the problem.

Affected users should follow the weblinks below for further information and to download the fix tool:

Go to http://www.avg.com/support
From the Hot Topics, select FAQ 1574 for the AVG 8.0 fix or FAQ 1579 for the AVG 7.5 fix.

Affected users unable to use their PCs should contact their AVG reseller or ask a friend to download the information and fix tool for them. After running the fix tool, users should run the AVG update program to download and install the correct AVG update.

AVG sincerely regrets the inconvenience users have experienced. We are working to ensure that any other potential vulnerabilities are identified and
eliminated before they can impact users. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:06:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (pbitton) Comments Had a similar problem http://osnews.com/thread?337142 http://osnews.com/thread?337142 Few months ago after I updated AVG 8, my Windows 2000 machine wouldn't boot anymore. Fortunately I also had Ubuntu installed for dual-booting, so I could still access my files. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:02:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Johann Chua) Comments Comment by CrLf http://osnews.com/thread?337143 http://osnews.com/thread?337143 This and the recent talk about the problems with the web scanning part of AVG does make them look bad. However, AVG is still one of the best AV software out there.

You see, while mishaps like these are rare (and every vendor has had at least one), other more established products cause general system slowdowns and miscellaneous annoyance for 99% of their users, and the occasional unusable system.

I'd rather risk occasional problems instead of guaranteed ones... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:02:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (CrLf) Comments Nothing really new http://osnews.com/thread?337177 http://osnews.com/thread?337177 I remember something far more drastic happening when I worked for McAfee many years ago. One of the updates totally jacked the NTFS file system and of course many corporate users who had their systems auto updating because they trusted McAfee to test the updates before distributing were not too amused. It's been so long I can't remember if it was a program update or definitions though. Any one else remember that one? Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:14:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (drewb0y) Comments RE[2]: IMO http://osnews.com/thread?337185 http://osnews.com/thread?337185 Go AVG, go! ;) Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:31:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Rehdon) Comments A Mistake! http://osnews.com/thread?337195 http://osnews.com/thread?337195 I have been using AVG for at least 5 years and the service has been outstanding. I see the negatives that are surfacing from a pretty major error. I use my computer for business mainly and although the interuption is unexpected it is not unsurmountable. Where is everyone's back-ups? We rely so much on the internet services that some are letting their guard down!

I would like to say to the folks at AVG . . . did you guys ever screw up! But my hats off to you for the service you have provided to me hassle free over the years! Don't do it again . . . please! Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:13:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (WaynePetra) Comments RE[2]: IMO http://osnews.com/thread?337353 http://osnews.com/thread?337353
I think AVG had it right, Windows IS the virus... ;)


According to the article:

"AVG has announced they're working on a fix."

Keep cool, man! Don't hesitate, you've got all the time you want. Program slowly and with your clients' benefit in mind. :-)

10: echo Looking for USER32.DLL...
goto 10

:-) Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:00:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Doc Pain) Comments