Microsoft has issued a warning to users of Windows XP about “abnormal conditions” which might prevent its latest security updates from being applied.
According to the BBC, a machine being infected with the Alureon malware – a rootkit that monitors web traffic, filters out personal details and passwords, and creates a potential backdoor for hackers – creates these conditions.
If an infected PC is patched with the updates, the virus could render the infected computer incompatible with the kernel updates.
It is speculated that by warning people about this possible outcome, is seeking to avoid creating a situation where people are wary about installing updates and choose not to implement them.
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