“More than 3 million PCs affected by a worm”. This was the news headline a couple of days ago.
latest security updates is posing a growing threat to users.
The malicious program, known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido was first discovered in October 2008. Although Microsoft released a patch, it has gone on to infect 3.5m machines.
Experts warn this figure could be far higher and say users should have up-to-date anti-virus software and install Microsoft’s MS08-067 patch.
Once the worm is up and running, it creates an HTTP server, resets a machine’s System Restore point (making it far harder to recover the infected system) and then downloads files from the hacker’s web site.
Uusally the hackers websites can be easily traced and shut down. Apparently this worm works in a different way.
Anti-virus firm F-Secure says that the worm uses a complicated algorithm to generate hundreds of different domain names every day. The domains look like those unpronounceable ones that you see in your spam box.
The way it spreads includes USB sticks, so if someone got an infection from one company and then takes his USB stick to another firm, it could infect that network too. It also downloads lots of content creating new variants though this mechanism.”
The message is clear. Use a good antivirus program. Never accept USB sticks from others. Especially people you do not know. I usually carry a couple in bag always. The other trick I learnt is if you have to grab a file from another computer. creat an email. Attach the file and save as a draft. Come home and download the file. Your antivirus will scan and let you know if it safe.
But bottom line is have a good antivurus program installed in your computer like Pareto logic’s Antivirus program to catch all those nasty worms.