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So, a friend called me up telling me that there's this April Fool's joke (if you'd call it a joke) that's going to go in effect tomorrow, April 1st, about a worldwide computer virus that will infect all PC computers and steal every single ounce of information that you have or put on the computer (phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc.). I thought it was something not to worry about, that it was another hoax like the apparent Wal-Mart gangs that will shoot one woman, child, and man on a certain night.
She then called me again and told me that she had called her uncle who works for the Apple company, and he is certain that it's not a hoax and it will actually happen. I went onto Yahoo! and found this article:
I really don't know what to believe, but PCs are the targets, and Macs are still safe -- for now. My friend said that if you have a Dell, you can prevent this virus if you go to the Dell support page because apparently they have something that will help stop the virus. I'm not sure, I'm using a Mac.
The Yahoo! article brought up a good point, saying that the virus producer person thing might not release it tomorrow, and may release it another time when it's less expected. Whatever happens, and whether it's real or another hoax, I just thought I'd let you guys know. Call me gullible, but this is something well broadcasted to the point where you can't tell if it's real or not (War of the Worlds radio broadcast, anyone?).
Sean
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mcornetto
Posted: March 31st, 2009, 5:38pm
Guest User
I think it's a real threat. The following is from a reliable source.
April 1st Confickr Worm Threat
Perimeter eSecurity would like to update customers on a previously released bulletin regarding critical Microsoft patch MS08–067 and its association with the Confickr worm. Since the release of our first bulletin, over 3 million unpatched machines have been infected with malicious software as a result of the Confickr worm. Next Wednesday – April Fools' Day – millions of computers that have already been infected by the Confickr worm, also known as "bots", will be used to receive orders from controlling machines and possibly leveraged in malicious activity. Once these orders are received, the infected computers may be used to send out malware, e–mail scams/spam, viruses, or may even be used to steal information from the affected host. The computer must already be infected by the Confickr worm in order for it to be used in this potential threat that is to occur on April 1st.
If you are unsure if your Windows machine is infected by the Confickr worm, please use an anti–virus to scan your machine. Anti–virus signatures to detect Confickr worm activity are available.
** Please note, Windows machines that are patched with the MS08–067 update are not affected by this threat. This patch was released October 2008**
The Confickr worm (aka DownAdUp/DownUp/Kido) spreads itself primarily via a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Server Service on Windows based computers. The worm uses a specially crafted RPC request to execute its coding on the target computer. Once the worm is executed on the system, it disables a number of system services such as Windows Automatic Updates, Windows Security Center, Windows Defender, Windows Error Reporting, or possibly other anti–malware/virus protection programs. The worm also receives orders from a main server that can tell the worm to download more malware, steal information, or spread to other systems. Some of the system services/processes to which Confickr worm is known to attach are svchost.exe, explorer.exe, and services.exe.
** If you do not have the MS08–067 patch installed, it can be downloaded from Microsoft via the link below or by using Windows Update. If your Windows machine is infected by the Confickr worm you can download the Microsoft Removal tool below the Security Bulletin link. **
It is important to note that propagation methods for this worm have been detectable on the network since October 2008, when the patch was released. Other potentially undetectable propagation methods include any writable media plugged into an infected system such as a USB drive.
This isn't the first time I've heard of a virus hitting the entire internet on a given day. Personally, I think this is all bullshit.
Phil
That was my first reaction when my Dad told me about it, but he wouldn't give up, so I started looking. I read that they are certain that whoever created this was a team and highly funded. Frankly, I think it's a ploy by Microsoft to root out users with illegal copies of Windows who can't use Windows update.
I work in IT and for the last week, we have been patching our computers. There is evidence that the virus exists, but what it will do is up for debate.
Basically, the fear is that many computers already have the virus and sometime on April 1st, a server somewhere in the world will turn on and activate whatever the virus does. There is a $250,000 reward for information leading to the virus' creator offered up by Microsoft.
Now - that being said, it will most likely be nothing tomorrow, but it we were not going to sit back and cross our fingers.
Conficker task force members tracking Internet traffic in Asia and Europe after clocks struck April 1st there said there was no sign that the worm was doing anything other than modifying itself to be harder to exterminate.
Conficker had been programmed to reach out to 250 websites daily to download commands from its masters, they said, but on Wednesday it began generating daily lists of 50,000 websites and reaching randomly to 500 of those.
Cyber-criminals have taken advantage of Conficker hype by using promises of information or cures to lure Internet users to websites booby-trapped with malicious software.
I almost got bit by one of those Sunday night, but Avast spotted it!! I love Avast!!
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The Conficker Virus?
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