Full FeedLatest AVG update flags iTunes as a threat and prevents it from working
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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Are you seriously ousting an application that you have had no problems using for free for how ever long. Now you have the gull to shun them as if they smacked your mother. I have been using this application for years and have never really had any problems with it. They are a company made up of people, and people make mistakes. Far bigger mistakes have been made by companies producing products that cost way more then free.
I hit close when I saw the messages and realized there must have been a mistake, went to AVG clicked update now and opened iTunes without only a problem of it not being able to burn CD’s, which in all honesty I have never desired to burn a CD through iTunes. I am now downloading an updated version of iTunes and installing that and I am fairly certain that will be the end of my troubles. Taking 5 minutes to do some updates really doesn’t set me off much for applications I have not paid for and are provided for free.
on July 25, 2009 at 01:45 PM - LINKMy buddy just bought n iPhone two days ago. Last night, he spent hours trying to install iTunes, but AVG prevented him and claimed it found 88 viruses. It’s now been deleted for good. I accidentally install the Virtumonde Trojan[s] with a ‘free’ utility that was supposed to try to fix broken hard drives. Although AVG claimed that it would remove it, it did not even find them. MS OneCare got rid of them, but now I use AVAST, as OneCare was a trial and was discontinued. Bye bye AVG!
on July 25, 2009 at 02:43 PM - LINK