Virus scanner bug cost Trend $8 million

Tokyo-based anti-virus software vendor Trend Micro said that a bug in its own software (a regular pattern update the company issued in April 23 which consumed all CPU power) that affected thousands of customers (mostly in East Asia) has cost the company ¥903 million ($8 million). The issue has also forced it to lower its revenue and profit forecasts for the April to June quarter, the company said Thursday.

The company reduced its operating profit forecast by just over a fifth to ¥5.5 billion, and lowered its net income forecast 16.7 percent, according to Naomi Ikenomoto, a spokes woman for Trend Micro's Investor Relations Department in Tokyo.

The company hasn't lost many corporate contracts over the bug because it's difficult for enterprises to quickly change their anti-virus policies, according to Ikenomoto. "Maybe we will see some impact next year," she said.

From InfoWorld