by Colin Lovett, PICurrent Managing Editor
You should be aware of a new computer virus called Conficker C. An international group of computer security experts have come together to try and stop this program, but have not had any luck so far.
The virus, which has already infected millions of computers running Microsoft Windows, is apparently set to launch on April 1st, but it is not clear yet what it will do. Previous versions of the virus took control of user PCs to sell bad software programs.
What happens with a virus like this is:
- It burrows deep into the code of a computer and blocks security updates which could remove it.
- When activated, it can take control of a large number of PCs around the world. This forms what is called a Botnet, in which PCs are controlled remotely to spread the virus or launch spam e-mail or even attack and shut down websites.
Microsoft has posted a $250,000 reward for the capture of the virus author, but the best security experts in the world have so far failed to catch the person or persons.
Experts warn this virus could do significant damage when it is launched on April 1st.
If you own a PC, you should:
Find out if you received an automatic software update from Microsoft in March. If you have, you are probably fine. If not, your machine may be infected.
If you are concerned your PC may be infected, visit Windows Live to get a PC scan and a security update if needed.
Our sister site, The Beehive, has a great section on keeping your computer safe.
To read more about Conficker C, please visit:
Hey! Why not send an UPDATE or PATCH for WINDOWS that will basically force the clock to jump from March 31st to April 2nd, and then when the computer reads April 3rd, It will reset to the normal date “April 2nd”! Im sure this virus is set to look for the Date: April 1′ 2009 in your computer, thats the trigger! so if it skips 4/1/09, the program would not go off, because its programmed to trigger at 4/01/09
Brandon, that’s a good idea, however the virus could also be programmed to activate itself as long as the date is past April 1, 2009
So in other words, if they went with your plan and sent out that update/patch, the virus might read the date and activate itself because it’s past April 1, 2009
Just a thought.
Hey Brandon, good idea, but I think Cody is right. For one, doing this would be almost the same as simply unplugging your computer for a couple of days and then turning it back on. I’m sure the person who wrote this would have had a launch code for any day after April 1st.
Also, one of the big problems with this virus is that it is shutting down the automatic updates sent out by Microsoft. Like I said in my post, if you are not getting these updates anymore, go to Windows Live for a manual update.
Thanks! If you didn’t write this post, I never would have known about this virus!
good ideas, ill try it, if you see the time and date at the right hand side of windows right-click and click adjust time and date……… i wont try it until the day before though.
myspacehacksandcodes.webs.com subscribe
Learn about the virus and how to get a fix:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/WormWarning
Brandon, that’s NOT a good idea… because virus gets its time reference from web not computers own time/date reference.
I Have you bot master author its not hard to track the guy after his crap Conficker C Worm try’d to flood my site i have his Information!
IP Address: 75.82.135.198
Hostname: cpe-75-82-135-198.socal.res.rr.com
ISP: Road Runner
Organization: Road Runner
Proxy: None detected
Type: Cable/DSL
Geo-Location Information
Country: United States
State/Region: CA
City: Sherman Oaks
Latitude: 34.1464
Longitude: -118.4472
Area Code: 818
This is His Computer IP but He Is Not Located By The Information His Internet Company Is!
By ANONYMOUS HACKER
anonymous thats so guys website dummy
damn!!!
why they want to do all this things…
its that true this virus came from china? hahaha, coz my friend talk about it on a day.. i’m so confuse how to handle it..
That’s for the info really. I though the windows have no solution for these attack yet.
here is tool to remove this virus:
http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/global/removal_tool/threat_writeups/FixDwndp.exe
isnt it kinda funny? i mean, only legal paid-for microsoft updates will be saved? Sorry, but that sounds a bit biblical for my taste. Not that it`s a fake. Just that it`s not that innocent. Someone should take a look at who`s paying for the warnings to be distributed worldwide. If there`s absolutely NO way to get rid of the thing, how the hell is a microsoft update gonna help? I just wonder…
[...] This is not an April Fool’s Joke. I’ve double check with a couple of ‘geeky’ friends, they confirmed there are no conflicker worms so far. But, we should be alert! Keep your PC clean! [...]
Even if this is a hoax in celebration of the day (strange way to celebrate), steps should still be taken. I just wonder how someone gets so wrong as to write such a virus.
[...] Computer Virus No April Fools Day Joke by Colin Lovett, PICurrent Managing Editor You should be aware of a new computer virus called Conficker C. An [...] [...]
Now would be the proper time to switch to Linux or BSD.
microsoft gives updates only for genuine versions, in non genuine versions auto update is disabled, how could these guys know about the virus, most of these guys also do not have a registered anti-virus. if this worm is for real, ….
here u go fingure this stuff out
this kid asja ferguson aperently owns a company called
Question Mark Programming
he was allways planing a virus that
would destroy millions of computers
hes on facebook and i i dont trust him
here is more info on that kid
I’m a software engineer/cinematographer/network systems analyst/server administrator If that doesn’t explain me then I’m not sure what will.
Great Post!
I found at fantastic website that has voluntarily started collecting all known scanners, removal tools, and some great information and articles.
You can find the link on my website here:
http://joshhouston.net/wordpress/2009/04/third-party-information-on-conficker/
oh no.
you are all idiots and have no clue to any of your cyber surroundings.
quick tip:
if you dont know @#$ then don’t bother using a computer. you’ll be better off!
I follow your blog for quite a long time and should tell you that your articles are always valuable to readers.
This post is awesome, nice work!
Fo one the microsoft updates are probably being released to chip a peice of the virus off at a at time like for example for ppl that are slow on scripting I’ll do this in simple html code to see if the virus runs on a short like code like
[function=rundll.exe] if they change small peice could decrease the chances of infection getting fatal like if they made it
[send=rundll.exe]
you could be preventing but there just trying to change whatthe virus acts on till they can completely prevent it…..heck just changing the location of it could help like say it acts on msn renaming the .exe of it in the overall script could take it off gaurd never know….. I know doesn’t act on msn or w/e just showing example in simplest forms I can think of…..
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