Edmund X. DeJesus of SearchSecurity.com writes:

A recent signature file for the beta version of Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware incorrectly identifies a registry key of Symantec antivirus software. Users who remove the identified key render the antivirus software inoperable. Reinstallation of the Symantec software may be necessary.

The Windows AntiSpyware Beta 1 signature 5805, which was released on Thursday, incorrectly flags a Symantec registry key as “belonging to a password stealing malware known as PWS.Bancos.A,” according to a Microsoft spokesperson. Windows AntiSpyware prompts the user to remove the key. Removing the key causes the affected Symantec products to stop working correctly. The issue surfaced on a Microsoft discussion board. Microsoft describes the number of affected users as “very limited.”

[Continue reading Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta incorrectly identifies AV software]

Tags: registry, beta, norton, symantec, pws.bancos.a, windows antispyware, 1 signature, 5805, key, not working, functional