Computer Virus 'Time Bomb' Could Go Off April 1

[Alasad PGen4]

Computer Virus 'Time Bomb' Could Go Off April 1

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 http://www.foxnews.com/images/service_times_36.gif


The Conficker Internet worm could strike at infected computers around the world on April 1, a security expert warned Monday.
Conficker is a sophisticated piece of malicious computer (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510296,00.html#) software, or malware, that installs itself on a Windows PC's hard drive via specially written Web pages. It then conceals itself on a computer.
Graham Cluley of the British security (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510296,00.html#) firm Sophos confirmed that Conficker is programmed "to hunt for new instructions on April 1."
However, he added, "This does not mean that anything is going to happen, or that the worm is actually going to do anything. Simply, it is scheduled to hunt a wider range of Web sites for instructions on that date."
One strange thing about Conficker is that no one yet has any idea what it is programmed to do.
In February, Cluley told The Times: "It's as if someone is assembling an army of computers (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510296,00.html#) around the world, but hasn't yet decided where to point them."
A worst-case scenario for April 1 would be for all the world's millions of infected computers to receive simultaneous instructions to attack, or to flood the Internet (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510296,00.html#) with spam e-mail
Ed Gibson, Microsoft's (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510296,00.html#) chief security adviser for the U.K., was reluctant to make predictions about Conficker's behavior.
"April 1 is a classic date for anything like this to go off," he said. "But I really would hate to say that April 1 is going to be unlike any other day."

[Howler]

another reason why I love my Mac.

[golncor]

another reason why I love my Mac.

you are becoming the most vulnerable with your thinking you can't be hit with these types of incidents.

More and more attacks against MACs and *NIX type OS' is occurring. It is just the base is not large enough to draw the attention that MS OS draws.

[shevaub]

VNBusinessNews.com - The Viet Nam Computer Emergency Respond Team (VNCERT) has asked the media to warn the public of the possible attack of virus Conflicker.C on networked computers on April 1...

Full story: VNCERT warns of Conflicker.C attack on April 1 (http://www.vnbusinessnews.com/2009/03/vncert-warns-of-conflickerc-attack-on.html)

[guardian]

The Conficker Worm: What Happens Next?
60 Minutes: Computer Worm Could Receive New Instructions On April 1

One of the most dangerous threats ever, a computer worm known as "Conficker," is spreading through the Internet right now. By some estimates, 10 million computers have been infected worldwide.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/27/60minutes/main4897053.shtml

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901282n (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901282n)

The main goal of the virus is to get your money per the video!

[Rob N.]

Guardian,

It would not be surprising to me if this is a government sponsered virus.

Thanks,

Rob N.

[baz]

Guardian,

It would not be surprising to me if this is a government sponsered virus.

Thanks,

Rob N.

Be about the only thing they havent sponsored lately.........

but dont worry.........

if it is a government thing..........

it wont work.

[DealOrBuyDinar]

Be about the only thing they havent sponsored lately.........

but dont worry.........

if it is a government thing..........

it wont work.


ROFL! :bigsmile: Hoo boy.... That's funny!

[Lux]

Your Conficker To-Do List

03.31.09
Worried about Wednesday's Conficker update? Here are eight action items that will help you weather the potential storm.

Unless you're living in a cave, by now you've heard that a worm known as Conficker (or Downadup, or Kido) has infested computer (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344170,00.asp#) systems around the world, and that it will do something April 1st, though nobody knows exactly what. How can you be sure your computer doesn't become a casualty? Here are eight action items—things you can do yourself to weather the potential storm.

Double-check Windows Update
The worm weasels into computer systems through a Windows vulnerability that was patched last October, and once in place it interferes with the Windows Update system, to protect itself. So, verify that your system is up to date. XP users should launch Internet Explorer (no other browser will do), visit www.windowsupdate.com (http://www.windowsupdate.com/), and click the "Review your update history" link. Vista users should launch Windows Update from the Start menu and click the "View update history" link. In particular, you want to see KB958644 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958644) in the list—that's Conficker's entry point. If your latest update is any older than March 2009, that's not good. Go back to the main Windows Update page and install all critical and security (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344170,00.asp#) updates.

Turn Off AutoRun
Sure, it's convenient that CDs and DVDs automatically launch their programs when you put them in. You may even be happy to see the window that asks what you want to do when you insert a USB key. But Conficker and other worms subvert this handy feature to spread their infestation. Use a Conficker-tainted USB key to share pictures or music with a friend, and you're sharing the malware (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344170,00.asp#), too. The feature's convenience just isn't worth that risk. Here are instructions (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2343838,00.asp) to turn off AutoRun.

Update Your Protection
It goes without saying that you should always keep your security software and malware definitions up to date. Don't just rely on automatic updates, as the worm has been known to interfere with these. Dig into your security software and manually launch an update, then watch to make sure it completes the process successfully. Now launch a full system scan.

Get a Second Opinion
Your security software can probably handle the Conficker worm, but why take a risk? Visit the Conficker Working Group's Repair Tools page (http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=ANY.RepairTools) to find the latest collection of threat-specific cleanup tools. At present, this page links to tools from AhnLab, ESET, Kaspersky, F-Secure Malware Removal Tool, McAfee, Microsoft (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344170,00.asp#), Sophos, Symantec, and TrendMicro. Run one or more of these to verify that your system is clean.

Check Your Servers
Conficker also attacks network shares using what's called a dictionary attack. It tries to gain Administrator access using a bunch of common passwords and often lucks out. If you're responsible for a network, whether it's an office or home network, check all of the network shares and make sure they're protected with a strong password. While you're at it, check the root folder of each drive for the presence of an AUTORUN.INF file or any unrecognized software—these are clues that Conficker is already in residence.

Inoculate Your Servers
Products like Faronics Anti-Executable (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2073050,00.asp) prevent the launch of any program that's not pre-approved. On an individual workstation where installing new software is common, this kind of program can prove annoying, but server configuration is much slower to change. It's a little late to apply this kind of program-whitelist protection now, but going forward you'll want to consider it for your servers (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344170,00.asp#). When no unapproved program is allowed to launch, it doesn't matter how cleverly malware morphs—it's powerless.

Back Up, Back Up, Back Up
Conficker isn't the only possible threat to your important data: Your computer could fail; thugs could steal it; a car might drive through your office wall and flatten it. If you have a backup system in place, make sure that it's operational and that you have a recent full backup. If not, get yourself a high-capacity USB drive and copy all your most essential files onto it. (After making sure you've disabled AutoRun as described above, of course.)

Scared? Hide Under the Covers
Does the fact that Conficker's final aim is unknown give you the willies? Are you shaking with worry that a hitherto-unknown "D" variant will show up tomorrow and zap your computer? OK, it's not very likely, but if you're concerned, take a day off from the Internet! Unplug the network cables from your computers, disable the wireless connections, and spend the day working on local documents or revisiting your favorite pre-Internet games.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344170,00.asp

:wave:

[irons]

Be about the only thing they havent sponsored lately.........

but dont worry.........

if it is a government thing..........

it wont work.

:bigsmile:...:rofl:..66446645

6646

[harveyc]

Apparently I have the conficker virus. I have tried to get to microsoft.com and I cannot get in. Shid is alll I can say...

[geowhiz]

From what Im hearing this is going to be a big one, our company is on alert. Id back up all your pics, doc files, and other important stuff right now from your PC and run a scan.

[acrtech]

I, wonder what would happen to all the regulars on this site if they all got it(the worm) and couldn't check on the dinar and the dems. HE!HE!HE!:doh::giggle:

[geowhiz]

I, wonder what would happen to all the regulars on this site if they all got it(the worm) and couldn't check on the dinar and the dems. HE!HE!HE!:doh::giggle:


Mass suicide..

[Mr.Dinar$]

Here is a free download from CNET. This will check your computer for the Conficker Virus.


http://download.cnet.com/Conficker-Removal-Tool/3000-2239_4-10911447.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody&cdlPid=11016361

[acrtech]

Looks like everyone is still here! The worm must have got caught by the early bird.