Conficker, also known as Downadup or Kido, is the latest super virus to spread around the Internet and has security experts in a panic. When last we checked, about a week ago, Conficker had already spread to 9 million PCs, with little sign of slowing. Now it has infected at least 10 million PCs and experts believe there may be up to 350 million vulnerable computers out there.
The worm isn't just exploiting a networking hole, however; it features a sophisticated method of cracking administrator passwords, making it difficult to remove, and also copies itself to USB drives so that it can spread even when the online flaw is plugged.
But there are easy ways to figure out whether a computer has the Conficker worm. There are also free tools to get rid of it.
Among other things, the worm blocks PCs from accessing the antivirus vendors' and Microsoft's Web sites. That keeps its PC victims from getting updates about the worm and downloading removal tools.
If you can surf the Internet freely except for sites owned by Microsoft or antivirus vendors, that's a good sign your computer is infected.
Here are some suggestions for getting rid of the Conflicker worm:
Computer users should apply the Microsoft patch and update their antivirus and other security software.
Panda also has released a free "vaccine tool" for blocking viruses that spread through USB drives.
Use Microsoft Conficker removal tool.
The worm isn't just exploiting a networking hole, however; it features a sophisticated method of cracking administrator passwords, making it difficult to remove, and also copies itself to USB drives so that it can spread even when the online flaw is plugged.
But there are easy ways to figure out whether a computer has the Conficker worm. There are also free tools to get rid of it.
Among other things, the worm blocks PCs from accessing the antivirus vendors' and Microsoft's Web sites. That keeps its PC victims from getting updates about the worm and downloading removal tools.
If you can surf the Internet freely except for sites owned by Microsoft or antivirus vendors, that's a good sign your computer is infected.
Here are some suggestions for getting rid of the Conflicker worm:
Computer users should apply the Microsoft patch and update their antivirus and other security software.
Panda also has released a free "vaccine tool" for blocking viruses that spread through USB drives.
Use Microsoft Conficker removal tool.
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