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What is conficker?

Conficker is a computer virus. This means that it is an unwanted and potentially dangerous piece of software. It installs itself on your hard drive without you knowing and can remain hidden for a long time. Some viruses will do nothing more than damage your software and make your computer unstable. Some (called spy ware) will watch what you are doing and send information back to somebody, usually looking for your card details or other personal information. Others called adware will, keep displaying adverts. In the days of dialup, some would also call premium rate phone lines.

So which is Conficker?

We don’t know. At the moment conficker is doing nothing more than propagating itself (infecting as many computers as possible). But a few days ago conficker began to update itself. We don’t know what the update is, but conficker still isn’t doing anything.

So why should I be worried conficker?

Just because it’s not doing anything now, doesn’t mean that it won’t do anything in the future. As outlined above, a virus can be very destructive. As this one can update itself, it may serve many purposes as well as updating itself to counter new anti virus solutions.

How do I stop conficker getting on my computer?

For the most part, the way that you would stop any other virus getting onto your computer. Keeping your virus checker up to date is a good start. Also, Microsoft has released a security patch that closes up the hole that conficker uses to get into windows computers, so make sure your windows automatic update is turned on and working. Be careful what websites you visit, what software you download and which e-mails you open. Verify everything you before you access it! Also conficker can spread via networks and also USB flash drives. Only network with computers that you know are clean and have been scanned. Only accept USB flash drives if you know where they’ve been.

How do I know if the conficker virus has infected my computer?

It’s very hard to tell. As conficker currently isn’t doing much, there’s no way to be certain. However, one tell tale sign is that it stops windows update from working properly. At the moment, many experts are working on software that will be able to give you a simple yes or no to the question. At the time of writing, none of these are currently working at 100%.

What’s so hard about fixing conficker?

The conficker virus is ‘encrypted’, this means that experts can’t just open it and read it, because it’s written in a very powerful secret code that’s very difficult to decrypt. The fact that it can update itself also means that when someone does get an idea of what’s going on, it can change suddenly.

What do I do if my computer is infected by conficker?

There’s not much you can do at the moment. The virus is very careful to prevent updates that might harm it, and no effective anti virus software is yet available. Remember that things in the IT world move very fast though, so use google to check the news to see if there’s anything you can do. Information is your best weapon. Also, make sure you don’t transmit data from your computer to another in case it is infected. This includes USB drives, but CD’s SHOULD be okay. If you can, disconnect your PC from the internet to stop conficker updating itself, or if it turns out to be spy ware, sending your information back to whoever built it.

I use Linux/ a Mac, Am I safe?

Yes. At the moment, conficker only infects Windows computers.