False alarm

An update to Microsoft anti-spyware incorrectly labeled two versions of Symantec’s anti-virus software as Trojan horse malware last week. Users of Windows AntiSpyware beta 1 were mistakenly warned that Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Symantec Client Security packages were a password stealing Trojan called Bancos-A.

PC users were prompted to remove registry keys, advice that if followed would have disabled Symantec’s software, the Washington Post reports. The snafu happened because of a problem with a Windows AntiSpyware beta 1 issued on Thursday. Microsoft has issued new signature files that avoid the same mistake.

Full story: The Register