Conflicker - be aware

entwisi · 31-03-2009, 11:54

Tomorrow is a day that is being touted as a potential high risk to those of you who choose to run Windows.

to be short and concise, if you start experiencing issues tomorrow there is a good chance you are infected with a virus called Conflicker.

It would be wise to visit the AV sites today to check out what you will need to do to remove it should you find you are affected.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Q&A: Conficker protection

Quote:

Conficker, also known as Downadup or Kido, first appeared last November. The worm is self-replicating and has attacked a vulnerability in machines using Microsoft's Windows operating system, the software that runs most computers.

It can infect machines via a net connection or by hiding on USB memory drives used to ferry data from one computer to another. Once in a computer, it digs deeps, setting up defences making it hard to extract.

Among those affected by the virus have been the House of Commons and the defence forces of the UK, Germany and France.

The reason for the hype and the concern around Conficker is that 1 April is the day the worm is set to change the way it updates itself, moving to a system that is much harder to combat.

Five months ago a consortium of web security firms banded together to form the Conficker Working Group, to learn more about the worm and to try to stop it.

Last weekend the team located what they call a "fingerprint" or "signature" for the virus that means they can detect how an infected machine can be identified on a network much quicker than previously.

Security researcher Dan Kaminsky, a member of the group and director of penetration testing at IOActive, told the BBC this was a major breakthrough.

"We know these bad guys are in places they really shouldn't be. With this new trick it is much easier to find them. It means we can say, OK, I don't know what will happen but I can tell you 10,0000 systems are under the control of the bad guys and here they are."

Lucrative

While no-one in the industry is 100% sure of the aim of Conficker, they are positive the people behind it are more concerned about making money than causing mayhem.

That is a view backed by PC Magazine editor-in-chief Lance Ulanoff.

"People write malware today not because they want to make a public splash. It's old school to want to make computer screens turn red and say Love Bug.

"Today crime syndicates run these things because they are interested in making money and if they are not making money there is no point in it."

PS, MODs, I deliberately placed this in General Talk as it will affect most users and the less techy probably don't look in Tech Talk or the like. I think it would be wise to leave it here untill at least Thursday to ensure maximum exposure.

katex · 31-03-2009, 17:36

Why do I get the impression this is an IT Geek's April 1st wind-up ?

entwisi · 31-03-2009, 18:12

Posted via Mobile Device
Viruses often use 1st april as their payload trigger. Google will confirm for you.

katex · 31-03-2009, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

Posted via Mobile Device
Viruses often use 1st april as their payload trigger. Google will confirm for you.

Not convinced. LOL

flashy · 31-03-2009, 19:06

a guy i know in America has just told me about this 'virus'

Less · 31-03-2009, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

Posted via Mobile Device
Viruses often use 1st april as their payload trigger. Google will confirm for you.

And smart arses that usually start their advice on repairs, with, You should only use Loinex, (No it's not mis-spelt just what the rest of the world think of the twits, (sorry, but accyweb won't allow me to put an a where the i is)), aught to get a real life.

P.S. you still owe me a couple of pints!

shillelagh · 31-03-2009, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

P.S. you still owe me a couple of pints!

he bought em me when we were playing pool!!!! Sorry Less ... oh and if you want repayment .. see spuggie next time hes down .. he'll buy you a pint of what he's drinking ... orange and lemonade!!!!

accyman · 31-03-2009, 22:49

cornflicker = slang for male homosexual

i aint explaining it for those that cant figure it out lol

hey i didnt make that up so dont shoot the messenger lol

katex · 31-03-2009, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by accyman

cornflicker = slang for male homosexual

i aint explaining it for those that cant figure it out lol

hey i didnt make that up so dont shoot the messenger lol

Get yer glasses out ... CONflicker ...

Anyway, new tax year starts today too, and that is always a joke ....

Don't understand the slang ... pleese explain for us innocent angels.

accyman · 01-04-2009, 00:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Get yer glasses out ... CONflicker ...

oops lol

well at least now if anyone tells you not to bother with a guy coz hes a cornflicker you now know why

Roy · 01-04-2009, 07:25

Conficker has claimed its first human casualty...
Conficker Claims its First Human - Dominic White

entwisi · 01-04-2009, 08:40

heh,

jaysay · 01-04-2009, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Get yer glasses out ... CONflicker ...

Anyway, new tax year starts today too, and that is always a joke ....

Don't understand the slang ... pleese explain for us innocent angels.

And theres me thinking the new tax year starts on the 6th April

AccyLass · 01-04-2009, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by roy

conficker has claimed its first human casualty...
conficker claims its first human - dominic white

and he had no pants on

katex · 01-04-2009, 18:08

Thanks anyway, Entwisi for trying to make us laugh ... I would have been duped anyway at other times of the year, just that you are always pedantic about the the correct category you put your threads in. ... no comment Accyman ...