News - National
McAfee causes computers to go nuts
Posted: Apr 21, 2010 2:43 PM by Stefanie Boe, News First 5
The maker of a popular computer antivirus program says a software update went awry today, causing computers around the world to get stuck repeatedly rebooting themselves.
Software security vendor McAfee confirms that the update caused its antivirus program for corporate customers to misidentify a normal and harmless Windows file as a virus.
Online posts indicate thousands of computers running Windows XP with Service Pack 3 were affected.
Those at Rhode Island Hospital were among them. The computer lock-up there prompted personnel to divert emergency room visitors without traumas to other hospitals.
The hospital also postponed some elective surgeries, however a spokeswoman says backup
procedures allowed patient care to continue without interruption. McAfee has posted a replacement update for download.
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