Anyone has heard about this new virus that is going to kill all our computers (and more) tomorrow? I found it on Yahoo News, there is a tool on the Symantec site to check if you are already infected (April 1, but what time zone???) and remove it, or prevent it to be installed, but not sure it is serious. Any help? thanks
If you use a proper anti-virus program you should be protected from what I understand. I use Avira's free program full-time and the Trend Micro HouseCall when I want a 2nd opinion on the health of my machine. Avira: http://www.free-av.com/ HouseCall: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ I also use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/ And I use SpyBot: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Thanks Kim, I THINK I am protected too... I have full security systems (Outpost in one, Online Armor in another one, and AVG 8.5 in the baby), all in trial version, so maybe it is a good opportunity to see.... :lol: On top of that, I have Superantispyware Professional registered edition in all, and of course Spybot. But how quick are they to protect you against a new virulent worm? Anyway they say it is more terrible than what we have ever heard so far, but tomorrow is fool day..... :shock: I ran the Symantec tool, but only in one (and it is not infected so far). Normally we can trust Symantec, but one out of my 3 will be destroyed OR safe. Since I am thinking of that, let me go and create a DVD system restore in my baby. :lol: Thanks for the links, I will check those too.
I'm no expert, but if a virus or worm is making headlines in the news then you would expect that all the good anti-virus applications would be able to detect it. The reason you need to always keep your anti-virus software updated is so it can detect the NEW threats. Old viruses that have been around still do get around and do damage, but the new ones are the ones that have greater potential to spread undetected.
Here's an article on Conficker: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/...hinkable-disaster/?scp=1&sq=conflicker&st=cse There's a link in that article to download Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool which can detect the very latest Conficker as I understand it.
It is dead serious. If your virus definitions are up-to-date you don't have a problem. If not you may have a BIG problem. Here's a link to an info page on Symantec's site. http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=conficker_worm&inid=us_ghp_link_conficker_worm If you can download the removal too DO IT NOW and save it where you can get to it, because one of the things that happens is if you are infected in the days after April 1st, you will not be able to get to any of the major anti-virus sites as the virus will block your access to them. Be aware, your computer may not play up promptly on the 1st. Think of it as a time bomb. I've already had to help someone in Florida kill it when his AV program lit up and screamed HELP!! It would be a kick if this were a hoax, but the odds are it's not.
Some more news on the subject: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29981552/ Also, anybody speak German here?
Conficker Eye Chart Conficker Eye Chart: http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/infection_test/cfeyechart.html If you see all 6 images you're okay. If you see fewer than 6, check the chart at the bottom of the page.
Just in case you thought it was over From today's NY Times Malicious Software Is Revised By JOHN MARKOFF Published: April 9, 2009 The riddle of a malicious software program that has spread throughout the Internet deepened Thursday as security researchers examined a new version of the software that they said made it more difficult to eradicate the program. The program, known as Conficker, targets versions of Microsoft’s Windows operating system and has now been distributed in four versions, computer security specialists said. Several of the groups monitoring the program said the most recent version, which began to appear Tuesday, appeared to be targeted at improving a peer-to-peer communications system between computers that are infected and hardening the system by making infected machines more resistant to anti-virus software. Several researchers also said there might be a connection between the authors of Conficker and of another program known as Waladec, a malware program that has been used to distribute fraudulent advertisements through e-mail spam. They also noted that the Conficker authors have switched strategies and are using the program’s peer-to-peer mechanism to update the system. Originally, they had appeared to plan to download instructions to Conficker by generating new Internet addresses that infected machines could download instructions from. An earlier version of the program had been set to begin contacting servers on April 1, raising widespread concern about the authors’ intent. Now, however, the system for programming Conficker uses a peer-to-peer mechanism that can be initiated from any one of millions of infected systems. The consensus within the computer security industry is that although there are now some indications that Conficker’s authors are intent on building a giant spam system, there is no hard evidence. “This is just Step 5 in a thousand-step chess match,” said Vincent Weafer, vice president of the security response division at Symantec.
