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Seeing only one other post about this from POKE on 03-13-2009 on the Computer and Electronic Gadget Zone, and The FTA Shack is about off topics that are non technical free to air things, here is a post way off subject but people need to see in the FTA Discussions of the forums!

I got this in a email this morning from a fellow FTA neighbor. Did not know that this was going around and the first time I heard of it! I thought I would post this for us guys that do not know about it or have the time to browse all the forums here at the Satellite Guys! Face it, there is a lot of stuff here to look at and all people need to be aware of this virus!


The Conficker Worm


Worried about the Conficker worm striking on April 1st? A few simple steps can protect you.

Target: All users of Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Microsoft has a recommended Patch for all Windows Users CLICK HERE!
Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)


Watch This CBS Story! Got Me Updating Things! A Must Watch!!
Watch CBS correspondent Leslie Stahl talk to Steve Trilling, Symantec VP Security Technology & Response, on 60 Minutes about the impact of the Conficker worm.



What does the Conficker worm do?
We don't know the purpose of the Conficker worm. Today the worm has created an infrastructure that the creators of the worm can use to remotely install software on infected machines.

What will that software do?
We don't know. Most likely the worm will be used to create a botnet that will be rented out to criminals who want to send SPAM, steal IDs and direct users to online scams and phishing sites.

The Conficker worm mostly spreads across networks. If it finds a vulnerable computer, it turns off the automatic backup service, deletes previous restore points, disables many security services, blocks access to a number of security web sites and opens infected machines to receive additional programs from the malware's creator. The worm then tries to spread itself to other computers on the same network.

How does the worm infect a computer?
The Downadup worm tries to take advantage of a problem with Windows (a vulnerability) called MS08-067 to quietly install itself. Users who automatically receive updates from Microsoft are already protected from this. The worm also tries to spread by copying itself into shared folders on networks and by infecting USB devices such as memory sticks.

Who is at risk?
Users whose computers are not configured to receive patches and updates from Microsoft and who are not running an up to date antivirus product are most at risk. Users who do not have a genuine version of Windows from Microsoft are most at risk since pirated system usually cannot get Microsoft updates and patches.


YOU COULD BE INFECTED!!

This was the email sent to me today about this! The article is through my local paper online The Parkersburg News!

Here is the article:


Computer worm "Conficker worm "evolves Wednesday



By JOLENE CRAIG
POSTED: March 31, 2009

PARKERSBURG - When the fast-moving Conficker computer worm evolves Wednesday, it is not expected to leave a trail of destruction as other viruses have, local computer experts said.

"I have been looking at (the virus) for a while and it's interesting," said Mike Ayers, lead technician with Allied Fittro Computer Services on Murdoch Avenue. "It's not doing anything but building its own little network."
The Conficker worm has been a scourge of the Internet since it was released in October and has since infected at least three million personal computers.
On April Fools' Day, the infected machines will become more aggressive about receiving updates from millions of online sources, Ayers said. When this happens, the worm's creators will be able to trigger the program to send spam, spread more infections, clog networks with traffic or bring down Web sites.
"Really, nobody knows what will happen," said Wayne Hunter, manager of Best One Computers in Marietta.

From a technical standpoint, this could wreak havoc to private and even government computers, but researchers who have been tracking the worm indicate the new evolution of Conficker will come and go without a fuss.
Researchers said the April 1 programming change is partly symbolic- an April Fools' Day tweaking of Conficker's pursuers, who for now have been able to prevent the worm from doing significant damage.
"It's been quietly spreading without any sign of infecting the computers it inhabits with big problems," Ayers said. "I don't think it's going to totally shut down the computers."

What will happen to infected computers on Wednesday is that they will no longer be able to receive Windows or Microsoft updates, Ayers said. Hunter said infected machines might have trouble connecting to certain Web sites or even just connecting to the Internet.

People who have regularly updated their computer's operating system and anti-virus programs should be safe from Conficker, Ayers and Hunter said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Thought it would be a great thing to pass along! Tomorrow guys it may Run A Muck! Don't be caught out there wagging and wondering where your bank account money went!

B-Man