Microsoft yanks update after glitch discovered

Microsoft Corp. has pulled an update to security software from its Web site after some users who downloaded the code saw their Internet connections go down.

A "handful" of users had problems after installing the update to Microsoft's IPSec (IP Security) software because of the way it interacted with some third-party software, according to a Microsoft statement. The problems caused the update to think it was under attack, so it responded by blocking all traffic. This behavior wasn't a security flaw, according to Microsoft.

The update was not a patch but additional software designed to detect potential tampering with IPSec VPNs, the statement said. Versions were made available last Wednesday for Windows 2000 and Windows XP, but only users of the XP version had problems, according to Microsoft. The XP version was not available after Friday morning, the company said. Microsoft is committed to releasing the update and is working with vendors of third-party software to make sure their products can work together. Users who downloaded the update and have network connection problems can remove it by using the Add/Remove Programs mechanism in the Windows Control Panel, Microsoft said.

IDG News Service

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