Section: Apple, Computers, Security, Software / Applications
Users of iTunes who also use AVG as their anti-virus solution were given a rude surprise today when they tried to run the program. They were blocked from doing so and AVG popped up with a “Threat detected” warning saying iTunes was infected with the small.BOG Trojan. Nearly 300 posts from freaked out users flooded Apple’s support forum, and quickly turned to anger when it was discovered that AVG, in their brilliance, released an update that flagged over 180 files within iTunes as viruses. The false alarm would have been harmless but AVG also prevents iTunes from working. Reinstallation is also blocked. Irate users who contacted AVG were ignored, and those that called Apple were told by customer service that Windows was to blame!
There are several ways to get around the mess AVG has caused. I simply did a System Restore. Choosing the most recent restore date didn’t work but choosing one 48hrs or so back did. As soon as the restore completed I opened AVG, canceled the update it had immediately started downloading, and turned off automatic updating. Other solutions include simply uninstalling AVG (which a lot of users have done and refuse to reinstall ever) and adding iTunes to the exception list within AVG’s Resident Shield feature.
Trying to contact AVG results in getting a canned autoresponse and basically being ignored. I think they are going to greatly regret taking that route. Their messed up update has angered a lot of people. It’s outrageous to me that they obviously didn’t do any testing or QC before sending out the update. There is absolutely no excuse for an antivirus program to flag and disable a very legit program, and even less of an excuse for them to be ignoring the problem, but then again AVG has always treated those of us who use its AVG Free software as second class citizens.
If you are having problems one of the solutions should work. Once you’ve got iTunes up and running again, don’t update AVG until they’ve admitted to and fixed the problem or you may wind up with a broken iTunes again.
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Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
