Conficker computer worm

[traumateam1]

Happy April Fools day everyone, however this isn't an April Fools joke.. this is a serious issue. Microsoft has confirmed that a major virus will be released at 12:00 am on April 1st. Here is what Microsoft had to say about this virus...

The Conficker worm is a computer worm that can infect your computer and spread itself to other computers across a network automatically, without human interaction.

Am I at risk of having the Conficker worm?
Most antivirus software could detect and block the Conficker worm, so if you have updated antivirus software on your computer, you are at a much lower risk of being infected by the Conficker worm.

If you or your network administrator have not installed the latest security updates from Microsoft and your antivirus provider, and if you have file-sharing turned on, the Conficker worm could allow remote code execution. Remote code execution allows an attacker to take control of your computer and use it for malicious purposes.

To read the rest of the article.. click here.

Wikipedia article:

Conficker, also known as Downup, Downadup and Kido, is a computer worm that surfaced in October 2008 and targets the Microsoft Windows operating system.[1] The worm exploits a previously patched vulnerability in the Windows Server service used by Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 Beta, and Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta.[2] The worm has been unusually difficult for network operators and law enforcement to counter because of its combined use of advanced malware techniques.

Some recommendations to keeping your computer safe is:

• Ensure your antivirus is up to date
• Run an antivirus scan tonight and tomorrow
• Download and run http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en
• Don't open any suspicious emails, or email attachments
• Don't accept any files over msn, yahoo, AIM, etc because the person sending the file may have an infected computer

Also, simply disconnecting your computer from the internet is not enough to stop the virus, as it can attack your computer once you re connect to the net.

Anywho.. I'm sure one of the more computer savvy people on this site can elaborate more on what to and what not to do to keep your computer safe from this virus.. all I know is Microsoft has issued a $250,000.00 reward for the capture of the person(s) responsible for creating this virus.

Well I'm off to bed, have a good night all!

 

[Meursault]

It's amazing how many worms have, if you read the pre-infection hype, destroyed the Internet and caused the developed world to collapse. This one doesn't seem all that different.

EDIT:
Wait...
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/04/conficker_worm_strikes_militar.html


I'm sure more reports will come in shortly. and they'll be real

 

[silver]

Well OSX, Linux, and Unix FTW!

Im wondering that if attacked and reboot your computer in safe mode, restore it, and then set the time to April 1, 2008 you would have 1 whole year to figure out how to fix it...

Heres what MS recommends
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx

 

[trevor1189]

OSX Baby! <3 my macbook

 

[JPINFV]

Virus scan and Microsoft automatic update for the win. People who don't update their computers get what they deserve.

 

[traumateam1]

OSX Baby! <3 my macbook

Can't wait to get one....

 

[fortsmithman]

OSX Baby! <3 my macbook

I got a macbook as well. I've like the mac since the first time I used an apple back when I took an introductory computer class back when I was in college in 1987.