Russian based Anti-virus provider Kaspersky has apologised to users following a faulty anti-virus update that has left thousands of machines unable to connect to online services.
It would seem that Kaspersky users running Windows XP have primarily been affected leaving their machines in a state where an automatic fix can't be applied.
The Kaspersky forums are awash with comments with one large user in particular here complaining after 12,000 of their machines were affected.
Kaspersky has released the following statement and advises affected users to carry out the procedure detailed therein.
"We apologize for the inconvenience. It does appear that there was a hiccup with an Update pushed out causing Windows XP machines to lose internet connectivity. An update was just released that should address the issue, what I will need you to do is:
To get XP users internet connectivity (temporarily), please disable the Web AV component of your protection policy for your managed computers. After doing so;
In Security Center (or Admin Kit):
1.) Go to the Repositories section >> (Right click) Updates >> All Tasks >> Clear updates repository.
2.) Go to the Repositories section >> (Right click) Updates >> Download Updates
After taking this step, please run your group Update task for Managed Computers. After the update has been pushed to your workstations, please re-enable your Web AV component in your protection policy. This should resolve the issue."
Rather worryingly though it requires users to disable anti-virus security before going online unprotected to download an update.
Faulty anti-virus updates have of course been released before with the consequences varying from minor annoyances, to prolonged downtime, and everything in between.
The BBC also discusses this story here.
