While it dealt with Internet Explorer, it was because of a maliciously modified update to Internet Explorer; it didn’t have to do with the browser itself. This also has to do with IE6, so all of those IE7 users out there have nothing to worry about… at least, not yet.

The virus scanner from the German software vendor Avira (known until the beginning of this year as H+BEDV) installed an update with a defective signature library that then declared Internet Explorer 6 to be the TR.Spy.Goldun.ML trojan. In light of that virus alarm, several uneasy users deleted Internet Explorer to rid themselves of the purported trojan.

Helmut Büsker from Avira reports that in spite of his company’s internal tests of the incremental updates, an incorrect signature landed in signature files 6.36.01.127 and 6.36.01.134. It was distributed today (Wednesday) at 7:25 am. The error was quickly noted and was removed through a new signature database one-half hour later. Affected users can recreate the file where necessary from the quarantine. Window XP’s Windows File Protection will also automatically arrange for the recreation of the missing files. Avira believes this means that damages are limited.[more]

Tags: Malware, Computer Protection