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computerbob1 
2:34pm, May 24, 2009
Here is what I know about this threat or gigantic prank.
If your computer is a Mac or Linux, or a Windows XP or Vista that is up to date with Windows updates (SP2 & SP3) and you have a current Anti-Virus program that still receives daily or weekly updates and you have the Windows firewall turned on or better yet Zone Alarm Firewall or McAfee's security suite, you should be 98% safe using your computer and going to the normal places you go. The sophisticated Conficter Worm gets into your computer thru one of the weak ports that the Windows updates have been patching in the last several months. It can get into computers that have not had these updates or computers with illegal copies of Windows operating systems because Microsoft won't update those computers.
Until the worm becomes more visible, it is not sure what kind of havoc if any it will do. The first indication is that your anti-virus program won't update when you start it manually and in some cases, it turns off your anti-virus program and won't let it start. I just opened my anti-virus program and told it to do an update and it did so I feel 98% sure I am OK for now until we know more.
If you don’t know if you have been doing the Microsoft updates (most computes are set to do them automatically) try this. Click Start, Click All programs and look for "Windows Update." It usually shows at the top of the list of programs. Click on it and follow the screen instructions to expressly update your Microsoft programs. Let it run. If you have new updates and when it is done, restart your computer. Do it again until it says you have no updates.
Send me a message if you have a question I haven’t answered and I’ll try to help.
There a couple of good resources you can read if you want to know more about this threat:
http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=6416
http://www.komando.com/newsletter/TOTD_3-31-09.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4877031_protect-computer-against-conficker-worm.html
This site offers some ways to remove it if you have it but I caution not to buy software in a panic. No one knows enough about this yet so I say wait.
http://windowssecrets.com/comp/090330/
As for questions as to whether is would help to just shut off your computer and leave it off on April first? No one seems to know. That has worked on other problem dooms day viruses but I would not let it interfere with your life. Just update your virus software and run it the day of and on the 2nd and if it still runs, you are safe. One of the things it does when it infects is turn off your anti-virus updates. I hope the Conficter is just a hoax but we will see. I'll post a journal or discussion if hear more. Happy Computing!
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Thanks for always thinking of us Bob :) Very helpful stuff :)
toria53
For those of you PC users that want more to read, I found this CNN piece that sheds a little more light.
" What happens on April Fool's Day is anyone's guess.
The program could delete all of the files on a person's computer, use zombie PCs -- those controlled by a master -- to overwhelm and shut down Web sites or monitor a person's keyboard strokes to collect private information like passwords or bank account information, experts said.
More likely, though, said DeBolt, the virus may try to get computer users to buy fake software or spend money on other phony products.
Experts said computer hackers largely have moved away from showboating and causing random trouble. They now usually try to make money off their viral programs."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/31...
There is also a Microsoft Scan that can be used with your MS Explorer Browser (not Firefox) to scan your computer for free and it looks for open ports. I am running it as I type this to see if it asks for money when it is done scanning. There are hints that this might be a free scan but might be a pay to clean type program. Let you know later.
computerbob1
Here is the link to use with your MS Explorer Browser (not Firefox)
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us...
computerbob1
Thank you Bob, very much for your efforts. I might point out that this would be a good time for us all to make sure everything is backed up, just in case.
RichieD
Thanks bunches Bob!
FireflyWine
Thanks Everyone and Richie makes a good point. Backup your important files to a CD/DVD or at least print them out on paper. Be careful not to panic and buy software protection from some off the wall offer to protect you just from this threat. This may just be the Conficter author's main goal here to sell software. If you need a Virus or firewall program there are several tested good ones for free at
http://www.komando.com/downloads/c...
computerbob1
The Microsoft scan took about an hour and a half and offered to do it automatically if I'd like to purchase it but I declined and it told me I had no viruses and no open ports. Says I can come back and do the scan as often as I want to run it online. So there you go. If all else fails, try that to feel better about the Conficter worm. Good luck! Tell me about your results of your testing and scrutiny.
computerbob1
thanks bob , i been having alot of issue on my since i have this one antivius on here it come up and act like it downloading and i have to keep canceling and i cant find where it comming from..... i never seen anythng like this.... hope all well for you.. ang
angelina1982
Follow Up!
Stay vigilant! Some may breath easy with no sign of getting this infection but because it is a worm, it is still active out there. Really April first was only the day for the Worm to wake up and start looking for instructions for how to create more trouble so it is important to keep your Windows updates and Anti-virus programs current and make sure they run often. I tell my clients to try to run them manually once a month to make sure they are caught up. In today's rush, rush atmosphere, often we turn on the computer for a short time and then turn it off and the virus program doesn't have time to check your system at least one time each week.
I tried to find the 60 minutes program from last Sunday which discusses the worm and finally found the link today. If you haven't heard enough about this by now, here is 12 more minutes that will interest you before moving on.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch...
If you use or have teens in your house don't let them use share sites that link computers together to share games and music they normally would have to pay for. Often these sites let users download games, software and music violating copy right laws. Teens love them to get something for what they think is free. My slogan is nothing is free on the Internet. Places like this is where the hackers hang out to get greedy people to download their virus and worm software under the pretext of getting a free game or the latest music for free. (BearShare is one of the popular sites)
Good luck and happy computing!
computerbob1
And from Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/c...
computerbob1