Avast blocks Outlook.com and reports malware (javascript / trojan) w/ Firefox

Viruses and worms
1

Hi!

I have a problem with Avast Antivirus (Avast Premier) and Firefox when accessing www.outlook.com.

Suddenly, today afternoon Avast started blocking Outlook.com functionality and reported that there is malware. I can access the site and see the basic layout with folders on the left and emails in the middle etc. but clicking either the folders (such as Received or Sent) or any of the emails does nothing.

The message Avast pops up when I access outlook.com is as follows:

https://a.gfx.ms/App0x_PnpEKl8j_NfvLFVyNA5mYQ2.js|{gzip}

Other:Malware-gen [Trj]

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

When I disable all of the shields through Avast Shield Control, outlook.com works correctly. I tried to add an exclusion but it didn’t appear to make any difference. The buttons in the mail client were still unresponsive and the only things I managed to access where the buttons “outside” of the mail interface, such as the Settings icon and my account (my visible name in the right corner next to my avatar). These buttons worked even without the exclusion, though.

I also tested outlook.com with Internet Explorer (I don’t use it for anything normally) but the results are the same. This time Avast didn’t even notify me about a possible malware / javascript problem.

My Avast version is: 11.1.2245
Virus definitions: 160131-0

And just in case someone wants to see a visual representation of what the problem is in Outlook.com: http://i.imgur.com/Kktw9PT.png

Thank you in advance!

2

Same problem here.
Same Avast version.
Please solve quickly i cant read my e-mails :cry:

3

Hi All, have exactly the same issue, does anyone know what the problem is and how to get things sorted??? Tony :frowning:

4

It is been reported to avast and they are looking at it as we speak, there may be a reply soon … be patient

5

Doesn’t sound too hopeful, would have thought that avast would have commented somewhere along the line what they were doing to resolve/look into…

6

Same problem here but it appears to be sorted now after updating avast and a couple of reboots.

7

I found the fix.Go to internet explore.Click on advanced and click reset on internet explore settings.

8

Hi All, have done nothing other than try to update avast, a reboot, seems to be working, maybe something else is going on here, will monitor, if continuing problem will let you know. :wink:

9

Hello, I have Outlook.com now working as it should. I didn’t do anything drastic in particular. I updated Avast program and the virus definitions and restarted my computer. After that I once more checked the updates (although on both times it stated that everything was already up-to-date) and it started working. But like sandt2 said, I’ll keep monitoring the situation and report back if I encounter the same issue.

Thanks and I hope all of you get it to work. :slight_smile:

10

I suspect the problem was fixed with a stream update and not with a vps update.

11

Just FYI, for people who are not great at this sort of thing (like myself!): After the latest streaming update, 160131-1, I still had to clear my Firefox cache & restart the computer in order for things to start working properly. knock on wood So far Outlook appears to be back to normal.

12

Yup, this was a false positive and should be already resolved. Please do let me know if you have troubles after disabling/enabling shields (or restarting avast or restarting PC).

13

Same problem here, first noticed on 4/29/16. Outlook.com was working normally on 4/27, so this is a recent malfunction. The Outlook.com page loads. and an Avast malware notice pops up (re: gfx.ms). The Outlook page appears OK and displays a list of messages in inbox - but that’s all. Email messages won’t open; I can’t open other folders; and I can’t send messages.

I’ve tried this in three browsers (Firefox, Chrome, IE), and same result each time. Also, when I turn off the Avast web shield, the Outlook.com page works normally. So it’s pretty clear that Avast is blocking one of the components needed for proper operation of Outlook.com.

I’m a long-time user of Avast, and this is one of the very few problems I’ve ever encountered. But it’s quite annoying. Please investigate and resolve.

14

Printscreen of the detection, pretty please? :slight_smile:

15

Same problem here. All browsers blocking hotmail. Thought it was Avast after updating program, so updated it on another computer and straight away I have the same problem on that.

16

Same problem here, on multiple computers with multiple browsers.

17

Yo tengo el mismo problema, Avast! me bloquea al ingresar a mi cuenta de Outlook! (I have the same issue, Avast! lock me to start session on Outlook e-mail!

Por favor que el soporte técnico resuelva este problema de inmediato!
Eduardo desde Buenos Aires, Argentina.

18

Hi,
This was indeed a false positive. I have disabled the detection on this file. Please make sure your Avast is updated and streaming updates are enabled (are by default), disable and enable shields (just to be sure) and see if it you are getting any more popups.
If the detection appears and is different from the last one (a.gfx.ms/App0x_ia82xQ2gj6yACclap57JwQ2.js), please do post a printscreen.
Thanks for the report!

19

Now works.

20

I’m trying to enter now, and seems to have already fixed the problem. I can start e-mail correctly. Thank you!