Conficker, the worm, is in its third iteration this year and has been around in other guises since who-knows-when. Yes, it's of concern and really does inhabit a couple of million computers around the world. Is Conficker the end of computing as we know it? Nope. Here's what I know.
If you maintain your computer properly, run auto update for Windows (if you have a MAC, you needn't keep worrying, but do keep reading, just for fun.) and have a good antivirus program, you're probably good. If you follow my advice and
do the FREE self tune up every week, you're likely ok.
If you're worried, read some excellent advice at
Home Technology Examiner.
The likelihood of anything going off around the world tomorrow, April 1, is slim. If you have the worm or get the worm, it's pretty easy to get rid of it - read the instructions at your antivirus company's website. To determine if you have this worm, try opening a browser and going to a name brand anti vi site like McAfee. If you can't open their site - you may have the worm.
What does it do? I don't know about digging into bank accounts or controling governments, but while it's waiting to be hatched, it will prevent you from going to security websites and could interfere with scanning your system for viruses or mal ware of any kind.
What I do know is that practicing good, safe surfing and emailing, keeping your anti vi up-to-date and putting in all the Windows security patches means you don't need to stay up tonight with abaseball bat and watch for the worm.
Print | posted @ Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:33 PM