Avira Antivirus update cripples millions of Windows PCs

Corrine

I spotted this issue first on another forum, referencing this topic on the Avira forum: "Startup of the Application Blocked for your Security" for most applications . The next Avira update solved the problem for some users but not all. The problem was apparently with Avira ProActiv.

Avira KB article: How to add an exception for a blocked application .

Avira Antivirus update cripples millions of Windows PCs | ZDNet :

Quote:

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.

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frapper · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 20:57 pm Post subject:

What a nightmare for paying customers, including corporate networks.

I had to chuckle when I read that this German company is looking for a "final solution". Maybe it's the translation. Big Grin

Quote:

“Avira is analyzing and discussing this suspicious behaviour detections with high priority. If the situation is too complicated to deal, then you can disable Avira ProActiv while a final solution is not provided.”

plodr · Administrator Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 7411

I'm glad I removed this from my husband's 2K computer a few weeks ago! He only has 256MB RAM and updating was freezing his computer. Since he rarely surfs, is behind a hardware firewall on the router and runs malwarebytes in real time protection mode, I figured I'd remove that. His computer is a lot peppier and he can start to work sooner.

kelticwizard · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 23:18 pm Post subject:

OMG they did it again in the same article:

Quote:

Again, this is not a final solution. Avira has released an update that reportedly fixes the issue, but users are still having problems.

Whatever was going through their minds when they wrote this?

nevadacrab · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 479 Location: Henderson, Nevada

kelticwizard wrote:

OMG they did it again in the same article:
[..]

Whatever was going through their minds when they wrote this?

I'm betting that that wording came from some younger techno-nerd that didn't connect A to B. I am surprised that someone older and more socially savvy did not catch it before release.