McAfee bugs Windows XP

BANGALORE, INDIA: Usually anti-virus updates are for securing PCs, but there seems to be a different case. A software update released by well known anti-virus brand, McAfee affected thousands of computers using Windows XP.

According to media reports, The faulty update released as DAT 5958 attacked the SVCHOST.EXE, which is said to be a vital part of the Operating System.

The company in a blog-post stated, “ McAfee is aware that a number of customers have incurred a false positive error due to this release.”

The blog added that the company's team is working to support the impacted customers and have released an updated virus definition file (5959) within a few hours and are providing customers detailed guidance on how to repair any impacted systems.

The instructions manual for fixing the problem can be found here.

According to the blog, the faulty update has been removed from all McAfee download servers.