AVG update cripples Windows XP
ANTI-VIRUS software AVG8 has got it into its head that an important Windows XP system file is a Trojan.
The software deletes the file leaving punters with a Windows XP that endlessly reboots or is unable to reboot at all. Still it is highly effective as an anti-virus technique. Try getting a Trojan to do its nefarious work under those circumstances.
The problem only affects users of AVG 8 products running the Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish language versions of Windows XP who upgraded the definitions recently.
The fault was instantly reported to the "Oh Feck Department" of AVG which immediately sent out a corrected update to its customers.
A SpokesAVG said that the outfit is actively working to remedy the problem.
He said that a number of users who installed the update mistakenly received a warning that the Windows system file user32.dll product version 5.1.2600.3099 was infected with a Trojan virus and were prompted to delete a file essential to the operation of Windows XP.
Those who cannot use their Windows XP machines, "should contact their AVG reseller or ask a friend to download the information and fix tool for them. We would have thought that people with expertise in AV systems would not need to phone a friend, but we guess it is a bit better than asking the audience.
This is not the first time AVG has had a few problems. Last month it thought that the ZoneAlarm firewall was part of a Trojan horse. In July its Linkscanner tool also went bonkers and kept testing sites for malware. µ
L'Inq
CNet
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This is the 2nd time AVG have updated there definitions and it's called a important file a trojan. About 4 weeks ago I was getting endless calls from people who I either installed AVG for or build PC's with it installed.

It kept coming up with trojan horse virus but was saying ZoneAlarm was the trojan horse. It did it on my brothers PC and about 12 other people yet not on mine?. Looking at the reports it was saying every .dll files in Zone Alarm was a virus and it was sending it to virus vault and ZA wasn't loading.

In the end I told them all to un-install ZA and re-install it and it fixed it, ZA hasn't been updated in months Checkpoint recently took Version 8 off because it was causing system shut down errors and was slowing down systems.

AVG need to do some serious testing before release or there going to loose customers.
XP is better described as a trojan than an operating system. Its not there for your benefit - its there for microsofts until they can lever Fistula or '7 up and downs a day' on you.
Perhaps if Microsoft had bought AVG (then Grisoft), instead of Sybari and GeCAD RAV then perhaps avg updates would not cripple windows XP.
we would be lost without good old AVG
when software costs already present a headache, and many other A/V products have similar issues from time to time (Trend micro far too many times)

not to mention the debilitating performance problems associated with one or two big name brands!

a hiccup every so often, is fine, and its not as if it wasnt recoverable.
it did affect all those lovely French people ...... shame!
Anyway, I've just come back from a PC installed with McAfee that reckoned that an AOL disc with AOL 9 VR was infected with a Trojan. AVG didn't mind at all and let AOL install properly. ---- Yeah, I know, I shouldn't really be encouraging people to use AOL but they just get used to it.
It still is a mystery to me why people actually use AVG when there is the excellent avira free edition which recently scored nr. 1 on av-comparatives.org
Why not use Avast instead..... better without the headache, and is also free for home use.

I used to use AVG, but Avast is better!
I liked AVG up to v7 - good product, never in your face unless needed, reliable.
Then they went commercial and an update on v7 made it nagware. Yes, I know you're selling now, get out of my face already.
In the end I got fed up with the endless nagging and switched to COMODO, firewall and AV product with browser monitoring as well.
It's silent, never in your face unless needed, reliable.
Until they go commercial, probably.
"Still it is highly effective as an anti-virus technique. Try getting a Trojan to do its nefarious work under those circumstances."

LMAO, Well played, Sir.

I constantly have people ask, "Isn't there an absolute way to be protected from viruses?" To which I reply, "Sure, use linux."
... the most nonsensical quote I've read in some time, that there quote in the second to last paragraph.
AVG also broke Winamp a little while ago.

Minor annoyance that should have been caught before the update went out. 

Still swear by AVG though
I would bet anything that you don't understand a word in french and it is the only reason of your racism. And I'm also pretty sure you're american...
Well, it's right. Windows is a virus.

Me, I don't use anti-virus software any more. My computers run either OSX or Linux now, and my TCO is way down.

As of now unless Microsoft gets their collective asses in gear, and come up with a version of Windows that is secure, and works properly, they won't get my business again.
If you read racism into Dougal's comment, it's pretty clear that you don't understand a word in English.