Conficker Worm To Hit Wednesday

Maybe your Apple is safe from worms, but what about your PC? The Conficker Worm is set to strike Wednesday.

Conficker

From Biola's IT HelpDesk, Tues Mar 31 2009:

Biola IT would like to inform the community that there is a security concern for Windows users due to the Conficker worm and it's rumored activity set for April 1, 2009.

To limit our exposure to this worm Biola IT is asking that all Windows users do the following:

    * Ensure all current Windows security updates are installed using Windows Update.
    * Verify that antivirus software is installed and running with up-to-date virus definitions.
    * Enable Windows firewall or alternative software firewall.

If you need help performing these security measures or feel you are infected with a worm or virus that you cannot remove from your computer, please contact the IT Helpdesk (x4740) for assistance.

Conficker (a.k.a. Downup, Downadup and Kido) is a computer worm that surfaced in October 2008 and targets a Windows operating system vulnerability. It has been evading security industry provisions by mutating and is still a threat. Once infected this worm will do a number of the following to a computer:

  • Extract malicious files, which will wreak havoc on your computer.
  • Deletes Windows Restore Points.
  • Registers stealth Windows processes.
  • Creates it’s own web server and spreads the worm to other computers in the network through file shares.
  • Creates autorun files in file shares to execute malicious files once the share is accessed by another computer.
  • Infects peripheral devices including USB flash drives and external hard drives.
  • Connects to external sites to download additional files.
  • Prevents a computer from accessing antivirus and other security resources online.

The objective of this worm is to enslave computers and make them subject to control over the Internet. It is rumored that the controllers of this botnet will be executing commands to infected computers this April 1st.