HEXUS.net - Definitive Technology News and Reviews

Malware likely to blame for Windows black screen of death

Software

Published: Wednesday 2nd December, 2009 | Author: Parm Mann
Products: Windows 7
Companies: Microsoft (All Microsoft content)
External reviews: Microsoft Windows 7

printer friendly layout discuss this review in the forums

discuss in the forums email this review to a friend

email to a friend

Following an internal investigation, Microsoft has confirmed that its November security updates are not the cause of end-user problems in its Windows operating systems.

The problem, dubbed the "black screen of death", was highlighted in a blog post by UK-based security firm Prevx, who suggested that Microsoft's own security update could be the root cause. The firm indicated that "millions" of users could be affected, adding that the problem could arise on numerous Windows operating systems - including the latest release, Windows 7.

In response, Microsoft's own investigation has revealed that third-party malware is likely to blame. "Our November Security Updates are not making changes to the system that these reports say are responsible for these issues," said the company in a statement.

"We’ve conducted a comprehensive review of the November Security Updates, the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and the non-security updates we released through Windows Update in November. That investigation has shown that none of these updates make any changes to the permissions in the registry. Thus, we don’t believe the updates are related to the “black screen” behaviour described in these reports."

"However, we do know that “black screen” behaviour is associated with some malware families such as Daonol," it adds.

Prevx, who originally stated that the cause of the black screen "appears to be a change in the Windows Operating Systems lock down of registry keys," has since backtracked and now also believes malware is to blame.

"We apologise to Microsoft for any inconvenience our blog may have caused," said the security firm in its latest blog post.

Please share this:

HEXUS related reading

HEXUS.net - news :: Microsoft attempts to rejuvenate Windows 7 Touch, relaunches free Touch Pack
HEXUS.net - news :: Microsoft removes XP Mode hardware requirements
HEXUS.net - news :: Microsoft: Windows 7 is the fastest selling operating system in history
HEXUS.net - news :: Remember, the Windows 7 Release Candidate won't last forever
HEXUS.net - news :: Microsoft to address 26 vulnerabilities with upcoming security update
HEXUS.gaming - news :: Halo Reach Special and Legendary Editions unboxed
HEXUS.channel - news :: Microsoft courts ARM in extended licensing agreement
HEXUS.channel - news :: Microsoft delivers recession-defying quarterly revenue results
HEXUS.net - press releases :: Microsoft Licenses ARM Architecture
HEXUS.gaming - news :: Cross-platform play - PC vs. Console gamers
HEXUS.net - news :: ATI releases 10.7 Catalyst drivers, brings GPU acceleration to VLC Media Player
HEXUS.net - news :: Apple software has the most vulnerabilities, says report
HEXUS.channel - analysis :: Qualcomm plans to take augmented reality to the next level
HEXUS.net - news :: Microsoft Security Essentials updated with new beta release
HEXUS.net - news :: Apple rolls out iTunes 9.2.1
All Microsoft related content on HEXUS

HEXUS.community :: your right2reply

Re: News - Malware likely to blame for Windows black screen of death

Posted by AGTDenton - Wed 2nd Dec 2009, 2:31pm

After Yesterdays post I was expecting a hoard of jibes from Apple.
This now makes MS look a little better.Quote

Re: News - Malware likely to blame for Windows black screen of death

Posted by peterb - Wed 2nd Dec 2009, 2:54pm

Interesting that Microsoft's patch was the first thing to be blamed, and that fact that it *hasn't* caused the problem is perceived as surprising.Quote

Re: News - Malware likely to blame for Windows black screen of death

Posted by shaithis - Wed 2nd Dec 2009, 3:04pm

Apple were probably half way through filming their "Quick, hit them while they are down" advert when this news broke....they must have been gutted ;)Quote

Copyright © 1998 - 2010, HEXUS.net. All rights reserved. Terms, conditions and privacy information.
HEXUS® is a registered trademark of HEXUS Limited.

My HEXUS

:: New User
:: Lost Password

Browser Plugins
::

IE7 Search
::

Firefox 2 Search

Hottest items

Latest Poll

When do you plan on buying an SSD drive?

Headlines