Malwarebytes cripples thousands of computers with faulty software security update

[douglas9]

Thousands of computers across the world have been crippled by a faulty update from security vendor Malwarebytes that marked legitimate system files as malware code.

The security firm confirmed the mistake in a blog post on Tuesday, adding that the update has since been pulled.

"At around 3PM PST yesterday [Tuesday] Malwarebytes released a definitions update that disabled thousands of computers worldwide," wrote Malwarebytes Marcin Kleczynski.

"Within eight minutes, the update was pulled from our servers. Immediately thereafter, users flocked to our support helpdesk and forums to ask us for a fix."

The update definition made it so Malwarebytes protection software treated essential Windows.dll and .exe files as malware, thereby stopping them running and knocking IT systems and PCs offline.

V3 has already heard from some IT managers that the issues caused untold havoc on their systems.

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2262234/malwarebytes-cripples-thousands-of-computers-with-faulty-software-security-update

[hobbit709]

1. Mine seems to be working just fine.

i have it on 5 computers here and no one has called me with a problem.

[Mnpaul]

2. If anyone has the problem

I would think "sfc /scannow" would quickly restore the damaged files

[Dan Ken]

3. I wonder if THIS is what brought the American Airlines computers down

Just a guess, happened on Tuesday afternoon.

[Sunlei]

4. had one old PC w XP I used for places like DU and photo storage fried!! it's dead

This is a referb. got for cheap just in case. Happy I did

I'll work on the PC when I have more free time. It won't go into any of the safe modes. All tries ended with "Unmountable boot volume". The original CD does nothing, the drive door won't even open on it's own, I had to pry it open to try the CD.

Went to malwarebytes website, lots of people with bunches of clients with broken computers.

edited to add. I didn't even know the problem was malwarebytes fault. Had some updates on malwarebytes and it seemed to have several alerts that didn't show up in the logs. shut down the computer for the night and it can't boot up again.

[hobbit709]

5. Sounds more like you got other problems.

CD drive door has nothing to do with Windows-especially during POST.

[Sunlei]

6. I know, it's an old comp. and I haven't put a CD in it in years :)

I can pop open and replace with a new drive. But I miss Old Nellie , she will be good computer practice for me.