April 1 Worm Warning

[Tifoso]

Just caught it on the news. Attacks IE, and will "explode" on April 1.

Might consider using non IE browser for the next few days.

[mgpenguin]

Might want to consider using a non-IE browser every day.

[teknetic]

No script + Firefox.

[Jeter Kid]

Now's the time to make the switch over to Firefox. Everybody's doing it.

[bigjf]

Sounds like an early April Fools joke. I call BS and will be using IE on April 1. When it explodes, I'll let you know.

[YanksFan1992]

Now's the time to make the switch over to Firefox. Everybody's doing it.

No kidding, Firefox is vastly superior to IE, Safari and any of the other web browsers out there.

[Jersey Yankee]

http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme...conficker_worm

[yankeesAZ]

http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme...conficker_worm

I like that-"Don't worry about the worm if you just buy our product".

Makes me think they put it there to start with.

[Jersey Yankee]

I like that-"Don't worry about the worm if you just buy our product".

Makes me think they put it there to start with.

Reminds me of the guy who busts up car windows, and his dad owns the car window store.

I think that many of these so-called "safe hackers" really work for anti-virus companies. So long as there's a threat, there will be jobs in the anti-virus and Internet security area.

Use hardwire and software firewall, anti-virus, and back your stuff up to tape.

[yankeesAZ]

Reminds me of the guy who busts up car windows, and his dad owns the car window store.

I think that many of these so-called "safe hackers" really work for anti-virus companies. So long as there's a threat, there will be jobs in the anti-virus and Internet security area.

Use hardwire and software firewall, anti-virus, and back your stuff up to tape.

We just had a story here of a guy that owns a window repair shop for businesses and he was in fact breaking windows.

By no means do I mean to downplay the threats as there are many real ones out there, but I do wonder sometimes if some of the anti-virus companies are part of the problem.

[Jersey Yankee]

We just had a story here of a guy that owns a window repair shop for businesses and he was in fact breaking windows.

By no means do I mean to downplay the threats as there are many real ones out there, but I do wonder sometimes if some of the anti-virus companies are part of the problem.

Just remember that much of Microsoft Office, of which IE is a part, has Visual Basic macros, which are extremely powerful hacker tools. Once someone learns programming, they figure they'll see how powerful their coding truly is. Sorta like having an assault rifle, and just firing it into the air, seeing if the bullets fall on anyone. Except when you unload, you're definitely taking people's info.

Some just figure that if you didn't protect yourself, you just deserve it.

http://www.happyhacker.org/

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/03/07/china.hackers/

http://www.defcon.org/

http://www.2600.com/

http://www.hackingalert.com/hacking-...te-hacking.php

[Soriambi]

I think I have the latest version of Microsoft patches, I have Norton and it's up to date, and I use Firefox, so I should be good. I wish computer viruses would just go away. This one sounds like a nasty one.

[yankswn23]

people still use IE?

[fredgmuggs]

Question regarding the microsoft patch: I got an alert from Dell about a microsoft patch being available but in order to download it I would have to update my version of IE (which I never use).

Is it worth it to update my IE version and download the patch or should I just ignore it?

[montrealer]

I like that-"Don't worry about the worm if you just buy our product".

Makes me think they put it there to start with.

I`m thinking the same thing...........

[NYYDragoon]

Might want to consider using a non-IE browser every day.

QFT.

The Symantec site linked to above is painfully vague and obnoxious. Snopes here (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/conficker.asp) seems like it has more useful info and links.

Please, please don't download antivirus software from popup windows, because you'll probably be installing the Windows Antivirus 2008 virus (no, that's not a typo) instead. And that thing's a beast. In fact, if you ever get a random popup window telling you to download antivirus software, click nothing and disconnect your computer from the internet immediately.

[RhodyYanksFan]

people still use IE?

That's what I was thinking.

[CoyoteYankee]

people still use IE?

We do at my job and we aren't allowed to download anything else. At home I use Firefox.

[Tifoso]

QFT.

The Symantec site linked to above is painfully vague and obnoxious. Snopes here (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/conficker.asp) seems like it has more useful info and links.

Please, please don't download antivirus software from popup windows, because you'll probably be installing the Windows Antivirus 2008 virus (no, that's not a typo) instead. And that thing's a beast. In fact, if you ever get a random popup window telling you to download antivirus software, click nothing and disconnect your computer from the internet immediately.

Holy carp!

[Jersey Yankee]

QFT.

The Symantec site linked to above is painfully vague and obnoxious. Snopes here (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/conficker.asp) seems like it has more useful info and links.

Please, please don't download antivirus software from popup windows, because you'll probably be installing the Windows Antivirus 2008 virus (no, that's not a typo) instead. And that thing's a beast. In fact, if you ever get a random popup window telling you to download antivirus software, click nothing and disconnect your computer from the internet immediately.

Get a good popup blocker. If you disable discussion sites like this from being affected, since a reply can be seen as a popup, you're good.

If your Internet suite has a spyware tracker, you're in business.

Anyone who downloads unsolicited any anti-virus software or cute looking animated thingies is begging for trouble.

[NYYDragoon]

Holy carp!

I'm assuming this is in response to my bolded and underlined text. I did that because if you click "OK", "Cancel", or try to X out of the popup window, the program will install anyway. The only way out is to cut off your connection. It's incredibly nasty.

[Tifoso]

I'm assuming this is in response to my bolded and underlined text. I did that because if you click "OK", "Cancel", or try to X out of the popup window, the program will install anyway. The only way out is to cut off your connection. It's incredibly nasty.

That is absolutely frightening.

What does it do, amico mio?

[NYYDragoon]

That is absolutely frightening.

What does it do, amico mio?

For starters:

Antivirus 2008 may attempt to change your computer's desktop, hijack your browser, monitor your Internet browsing activities, change system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission.

http://www.wiki-security.com/wiki/Pa.../Antivirus2008

And with respect to the browsing hijacks, it also likes to block you from downloading and even visiting the websites of certain spyware removal tools.

[Tifoso]

For starters:

And with respect to the browsing hijacks, it also likes to block you from downloading and even visiting the websites of certain spyware removal tools.

They need to fry someone they catch doing this carp to set an example.

Thanks for the response, sir.

[4bronxbombers]

people still use IE?

I do.

[4bronxbombers]

To use firefox, you just install it? That's it?

[NYYDragoon]

To use firefox, you just install it? That's it?

Haha, yup.

[4bronxbombers]

Haha, yup.

....

[Tifoso]

To use firefox, you just install it? That's it?

Yup. It has some cool stuff. I like the way they save favorites, for example.

And the fact that favicons don't disappear randomly.

[Stupid Flanders]

Might consider using non IE browser for the next few days.

or ever

[Stupid Flanders]

I love firefox but Google's Chrome is really growing on me

Http://www.google.com/chrome

[NYYDragoon]

This is a great time to find out that your newest laptop doesn't like installing Windows Updates for some reason.

[keg411]

QFT.

The Symantec site linked to above is painfully vague and obnoxious. Snopes here (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/conficker.asp) seems like it has more useful info and links.

Please, please don't download antivirus software from popup windows, because you'll probably be installing the Windows Antivirus 2008 virus (no, that's not a typo) instead. And that thing's a beast. In fact, if you ever get a random popup window telling you to download antivirus software, click nothing and disconnect your computer from the internet immediately.

That virus got my work computer a year or so ago. I was looking up radio station websites and one that was no longer working was instead a page with this horrible virus. It took me days to get rid of it and I was lucky I didn't have to wipe the whole thing.

Of course, Symantec also screwed up my computer as well and I had to get rid of Norton completely (I was on the phone with Dell and they were the ones that told me to get rid of it). So if someone could give me a link to a free, good, anti-virus software that I could use there it would be really helpful .

More of a reason that the investment in my Macbook for home use = win .

[Sam18]

QFT.

The Symantec site linked to above is painfully vague and obnoxious. Snopes here (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/conficker.asp) seems like it has more useful info and links.

Please, please don't download antivirus software from popup windows, because you'll probably be installing the Windows Antivirus 2008 virus (no, that's not a typo) instead. And that thing's a beast. In fact, if you ever get a random popup window telling you to download antivirus software, click nothing and disconnect your computer from the internet immediately.

I got that one last year. Got rid of it nicely with the help of a kind Indian fellow on youtube.

[Soriambi]

Yup. It has some cool stuff. I like the way they save favorites, for example.

And the fact that favicons don't disappear randomly.

And if Lou can figure it out, anyone can.

[Sam18]

And if Lou can figure it out, anyone can.

Not Brad.

[gdn]

That virus got my work computer a year or so ago. I was looking up radio station websites and one that was no longer working was instead a page with this horrible virus. It took me days to get rid of it and I was lucky I didn't have to wipe the whole thing.

Of course, Symantec also screwed up my computer as well and I had to get rid of Norton completely (I was on the phone with Dell and they were the ones that told me to get rid of it). So if someone could give me a link to a free, good, anti-virus software that I could use there it would be really helpful .

More of a reason that the investment in my Macbook for home use = win .

If you have Comcast or Cox, McAfee is free.

[Sam18]

hehhehehehehe

[BonusCantos]

Been using Firefox since 2004 and haven't looked back.

[keg411]

If you have Comcast or Cox, McAfee is free.

We have McAfee on a few of the computers, but not on mine for some reason. I guess they didn't install it for whatever reason; but I'm pretty sure we don't use either Comcast or Cox for internet at the office (I think we still use Verizon and InfoHighway).

[SalingerNY]

We do at my job and we aren't allowed to download anything else.

Jesus, who do you work for? The Nazi party?

[Jersey Yankee]

Jesus, who do you work for? The Nazi party?

OK, Sal, you should be gone about now. I gave the hackers the location of your secret hiding place.

[Jersey Yankee]

Not Brad.

I can't even figure you out, but that's another story.

[b-ball-lunachick]

We do at my job and we aren't allowed to download anything else. At home I use Firefox.

Same for me Nicole. I even downloaded Firefox on my work laptop and when I'm in the office, it won't launch. I can use it when I'm at a printer or working from home on it though. My home laptop I never use IE.

Did you have to run a patch this morning? I did..

[Tifoso]

Did anything happen?

[Soriambi]

Did anything happen?

Evidently it activated, as expected, but they haven't seen any impact yet. I saw that it could be a week or two before they figure out exactly what it's doing, if anything.

[NYYDragoon]

Did anything happen?

Seems like a lot of the precautions taken paid off.

NEW YORK - The malicious Conficker Internet worm got more aggressive about trying to reach its creators Wednesday, but computer security researchers appeared correct in their predictions that the effects would be muted.

The worm's programming included a change in tactics on April 1: The estimated 3 million to 12 million computers infected by Conficker were told to step up their attempts to "phone home" for commands. But that seemed to be the only sign of life from the bug.

"One thing we're not seeing is any mass malicious activity," said Joris Evers, an analyst with McAfee. "The Internet today is working just as well as it was working yesterday."

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/200904...cker_countdown

[Tifoso]

So to be safe, you recommend staying on Firefox for at least a week or two?

[teknetic]

So to be safe, you recommend staying on Firefox for at least a week or two?

No, forever. IE is inferior in every shape and form.

[Soriambi]

No, forever. IE is inferior in every shape and form.

This would be my recommendation as well. As far as being safe when it comes to the worm, I don't know nearly enough to be making any recommendations past keep your antivirus up to date and have the latest patches for Windows.