BitCoin data continually triggering Microsoft malware alert
Howdy all, Apropos the BitCoin discussions, here is a Microsoft Windows user raising the issue that Microsoft's “Security Essentials” is continually flagging a user's BitCoin data as matching a 25-year-old defunct virus. Since this is only the virus signature and not the virus itself, there apparently is no danger to users in any way. However, MSE recognizes the signature for the virus and continuously reports it as a threat, and every time it deletes the file, the bitcoin client will simply re-download the missing blockchain. It appears to be a joke or prank, simply because this particular virus does nothing more than periodically show "YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN STONED" on one out of every eight computer boot-ups, and is over 25 years old. <URL:https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/mse-protect_updating/microsoft-security-essentials-reporting-false/0240ed8e-5a27-4843-a939-0279c8110e1c> What are the chances Microsoft will address this correctly? What incentives would they have to make BitCoin more convenient / less scary for their users? -- \ “Every man would like to be God, if it were possible; some few | `\ find it difficult to admit the impossibility.” —Bertrand | _o__) Russell, _Power: A New Social Analysis_, 1938 | Ben Finney
On 17 May 2014 17:51, Ben Finney <ben+freesoftware@benfinney.id.au> wrote:
What are the chances Microsoft will address this correctly? What incentives would they have to make BitCoin more convenient / less scary for their users?
What can Microsoft do to address this correctly? I think it demonstrates the problem of using signatures to detect virus. Also see: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=611142.0;all Microsoft appears to be friendly towards bitcoin: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=microsoft+bitcoin -- Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au>
participants (2)
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Ben Finney
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Brian May