When you first bought your computer (workstation) or your laptop, did you set your Automatic Updates to install Microsoft Security Updates daily?Did you install anti-virus software and download updates daily?
If you have not done it lately, it's highly recommended to download the latest Windows Security Updates and run anti-virus live update for your workstation. This is to minimize risk of exposure, patch vulnerabilty and close known exploit. This coming April 1st, April fools day a virus known as The Conficker Worm will start attacking computers connected to the network and Internet. I don't know the attack pattern, in the past the attacker created a botnet to disabled known website through Destributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack. The method of attack might be different as they know that most businesses added security measures against this type of attack.
This is the time to run Windows Update, update your antibot software, and update your anti-virus software.
Here's how to check you workstation via Microsoft OneCare online service.
For Windows XP, please use this link:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
For Windows Vista, please use this link:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm
To run the online tool, you need to use Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+ browser. I'm not surprise that they don't support Google Chrome or Firefox to run this tool. Click on Full Scan, it will take a while to complete the scan depending on how many files you have in your workstation. Be patient.
After the scan, read the report.
Norton website provide detailed information about The Conficker Worm.
What to do if you are infected? Here's a three (A, B, C) different approach to correct this problem. Click the one appropriate for your workstation.
- W32.Downadup.A writeup
- W32.Downadup.B writeup
- W32.Downadup.C writeup
- and Conficker version D that was discovered last March 4.
- Microsoft OneCare: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
- MyFoxDC.com: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/033009_conficker_c_worm_tips_and_information
- Microsoft Security website: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx
- Removal Tips from SANS.org: http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=5860
Post your comments and suggestions here. Thank you.
even if someone used Conficker to steal my credit card info, there wouldn't be any credit there for them to exploit or spend
ReplyDeleteAs of this time, there is nothing newsworthy to report to you (yet) about this virus.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe computing environment.
By the way, just in case you need information on how to remove this virus. Here's some removal instructions from dshield.org website.
ReplyDeleteSqueeze Message Link:
http://www.sm.tv/8
Original Link:
http://www.dshield.org/diary.html?storyid=5860