Secure IT Alert: Microsoft Security Essentials & Forefront classifying Google Chrome browser as malware

Secure IT Alert Header

Homeland Secure IT Alert

Homeland Secure IT Alert for Friday, September 30, 2011

An update to Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection was causing grief for many users today as it incorrectly flagged the Google Chrome browser as malware.

The typical behavior was for an alert to be displayed stating that “PWS:Win32/Zbot” was found and that it needs to be removed. What is really removed is the Chrome.exe, so you are left without your favorite browser.

Attempts to reinstall Chrome fail with additional warnings.

Microsoft has stated that a faulty virus definition update was the cause. and by 10AM Pacific time, an additional update was released to correct that behavior.

If this has happened to you, a manual update of the MSE or FEP should fix you up! Of course, you will still have to reinstall Google Chrome.

Homeland Secure IT Alert Footer

Homeland Secure IT Alert

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *