Kaspersky update cuts off Internet access of Windows XP; fix now in place

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Kaspersky Labs admitted that an update for its antivirus programs released on Monday cut off access to the Internet for Windows XP users, but it has since released a patch that fixes the problem.



Windows XP may be over 10 years old but it is still installed on a large number of PCs around the world. On Monday, Windows XP owners who also use the many anitvirus programs offered by Kaspersky Labs suddenly found themselves unable to access the Internet.

That was due to a new update to those antivirus applications that had the unfortunately and unintended effect of blocking Internet access for those Windows XP machines. The issues affected PCs that had the x86 versions of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows Workstations 6.0.4 MP4, Kaspersky Endpoint Security 8 for Windows, Kaspersky Endpoint Security 10 for Windows, Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 and 2013 and Kaspersky Pure 2.0.

CNet.com reports that, according to a statement from Kaspersky Labs, it has now released a patch that should fix the problem for those users. The fix was released just a few hours after the update on Monday. It added:

If an affected machine updates from the Administration Kit/Security Center console, then these updates will be downloaded automatically. If a machine updates directly from our servers, then the initial workaround step of disabling the Web Anti-Virus component should be applied first. Internet connectivity will then be restored and the customer will be able to download the most recent database update. The Web Anti-Virus component should be re-enabled after downloading the database update.

Needless to say, Kaspersky Labs has apologized for the problems with Monday's software update, adding, "Actions have been taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future."

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