Computer worm

[WillieW]

How do you protect againt it. They give us the information, but not the how to.

[fishnfla]

1. Hire a flock of early birds

they are deadly on worms

[phantom power]

2. Most kindly send me your checking account number and SSN

[WillieW]

3. I hope that no saracsm was intended.

[phantom power]

6. I was just yanking your chain, if that's what you mean.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Which worm are you concerned about

and who is "they" who warned "us" about it????

[EOTE]

5. I assume you're referring to the Conficker virus?

If that's the case, I'd recommend starting here.
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx

This might be a very nasty one.

[EOTE]

7. Oh, and here's a scan tool that you can use:

If your computer is already infected, many anti-malware applications will be unavailable to access and/or download. The link I provide at the bottom of this post should be available indefinitely.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah

[hlthe2b]

8. John Aravosis over at America BLog did a good run through

http://www.americablog.com/2009/03/huge-computer-virus-may-hit-tomorrow.html

[Spangle]

9. Just as confussed

It seems like nothing can be done, until it acts up and shows it's self. Then it might be to late. No one really knows, it seems like.

I"m working tomorrow. So I'm completely disconnecting my computer in a way that my kids can't use it. Until I get home. LOL! Then when I start it, I will make sure it can't connect to the internet. And see what happens. <shrug>

[Fovea]

10. are you using an anti virus program?

If so, which.
If you are not, then I strongly recommend you get one.

[madfloridian]

11. Microsoft Malware Removal Tool

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Free download.

[Texasgal]

12. is it really a threat?

I keep on hearing conflicting stories. :shrug:

[Ezlivin]

13. If you own a computer running Linux, Unix or Mac OS X don't worry

If you own a computer running Windows, follow the instructions given above.

(Oh, and you are also safe if you are running Amiga OS, BeOS, or any other non-Windows OS.)

[WhollyHeretic]

14. Here is a link to the patches for various Windows operating systems

Just click on the version of windows you have. If you don't know what version then click on the start button on your computer (lower left-hand corner) click on "Run" and type in WINVER and then hit enter. A box will pop up telling you what version of Windows you have.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx

[dkofos]

15. The best way to protect against this sort of attack is to quit using windows.

[biopowertoday]

16. ah, wisdom speaks. thank you

[renate]

17. this story says that if you've gotten automatic Windows updates in March you're probably okay

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/31/april.fools.computer.virus/index.html

I was feeling reassured after reading this, but I will now sit back and await the news from people who actually know about this kind of shiznit that this article is wrong.

[damntexdem]

18. I'm not going to turn on my home PC tomorrow.

I don't know if that will help -- but it is expected that the worm will receive its "marching orders" tomorrow, so that seems a sensible plan.

[WillieW]

19. Have not watched the news. Is there a worm or not?

[ohheckyeah]

20. Easy to do and only takes a minute or two:

For those who don't know how to check

for which operating system they have:

Windows XP: click on My Computer and then SYSTEM INFORMATION

Vista: Click on Computer then SYSTEM PROPERTIES

Once you know who operating system you have, go to the Microsoft site: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08...

Look down the list and see if your operating system is listed.

If it is click on the operating system link and download the patch. Once you do that, open the patch and let it execute.


Also, there is a free removal tool being provided by McAfee and it can be found here:

http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/conficker.html

One of the first symptoms of having the virus is not being able to go onto a website like McAfee.

[TorchTheWitch]

21. The Microsoft October patch DOESN'T WORK

Microsoft put out a patch in October for the first varient of Conficker... it DOESN'T WORK for the subsequent varients which is why I got Conficker in January despite having the patch. Most anti-virus protection programs didn't have updates to deal with subsequent varients in time to keep a lot of people, like me, from getting it (and no doubt is why whoever made Conficker designed it to stop you from getting your virus protection updates that would kill it). Most anti-virus protection programs do have those updates now. If you got the update that deals with the subsequent varients from your virus protection program while you didn't have the worm, you should be fine now. However, that patch from Microsoft doesn't work by itself for the subsequent varients, so if you don't have updated virus protection that does, you're still vulnerable. And of course, whoever made the evil invading thing to begin with is bound to make yet another varient Windows users will be vulnerable to, and no doubt it will be even more evil just like the other subsequent varients.

Conficker is the most evil wretched piece of shit I've ever come across. It took WEEKS to clean up my computer. Thank the gods that I never do any banking, bill paying or purchasing online anyway.