Microsoft brands Skype malware

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 24 Apr 2008 at 10:15

Microsoft's security software has mistakenly identified internet telephony service Skype as malware, preventing the software from running on users' PCs.

The misdiagnosis was made by Microsoft's flotilla of security applications, including Forefront Client Security and Windows Live OneCare.

"Such products may stop Skype's operation and falsely notify the user about the following malware: Trojan:Win32/Vundo.gen!D," according to the Skype blog.

Microsoft has seen the error of its ways and released a new signature file that will allow Skype to run as normal.

Skype and Microsoft have a history of accidentally creating problems for one another. Skype last year blamed Windows Update for a 48-hour outage on its service after millions of people restarting their PC within a short period of time caused a flood of log-in requests that knocked out the telephony firm's servers.