After a false-positive Microsoft Security Essentials update began removing Google’s Chrome browser from hundreds of Windows machines, Google has released an updated version of the browser to assist in recovery efforts after the faulty malware signature deleted the popular browser.
Microsoft had identified the faulty update and stated, “On September 30th, 2011, an incorrect detection for PWS:Win32/Zbot was identified. On September 30th, 2011, Microsoft released an update that addresses the issue. Signature versions 1.113.672.0 and higher include this update. PWS:Win32/Zbot is a password-stealing trojan that monitors for visits to certain Web sites. It allows limited backdoor access and control and may terminate certain security-related processes.”
Basically, the faulty security update identified Chrome as the “Zeus Botnet Trojan” and deleted the chrome.exe file. Over 3,000 Chrome users reported that they were unable to re-install the browser nor could they even access their browser bookmarks.
New versions of Chrome were also released a day after the faulty security update went live. Google has also listed steps on how to recover from this faulty security update:
1. First, you need to update the signature files used by Microsoft Security Essentials on your computer. You need to do this before re-installing Chrome! Run Security Essentials by opening your Start Menu, finding the “Security Essentials” program, and clicking the icon to launch it.
2) When Security Essentials loads, click the Update tab in Security Essentials, and press the large Update button. Once complete, you can verify the update by clicking the triangle next to Help, selecting “About Security Essentials” and verifying that the “Antispyware definition” is 1.113.672.0 or higher.
3) Next, you will need to un-install and re-install Chrome.
View the entire tutorial here.
Further reading: Chrome, Google, Microsoft, Security Essentials
