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Post by kempff on Apr 1, 2009 1:37:44 GMT -5
Apparently it's serious(duh). This is a thread dedicated to an internet worm on the net right now.
Role call here to see how everyone's doing. Just for fun.
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Post by nascent on Apr 1, 2009 8:52:37 GMT -5
I'm still up and running. Word is, Conficker has only so far moved into its "ready to accept commands" phase and added about 5000 urls it can receive from. It's like an underground army waiting for orders... orders that, hopefully, will never come.
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Post by kempff on Apr 1, 2009 9:18:00 GMT -5
I was infected by an early version of this worm sometime back on a now dead computer. Doing a little reading has confirmed this for me, down to a key the same symptoms but with less potency as this current variation. That's bothersome, this newest one is by far worse than the first two variants.
Anyone at all that does not have Virus protection that updates, a GOOD Firewall (Windows is not good enough), and hopefully malware protection, is playing Russian Roulette.
Signs you're infected:
1. Unusually Long boot time
2. Unusual boot screens before or after login
3. Windows Update is not useable
4. Microsoft sites are blocked
5. Virus Protection sites are blocked
6. Virus protection is not useable/Firewall turned off
(You can still run the internet and use a number of computer functions with Conflicker, funnily enough. Zombied computer though.)
Those are just a few. This infection is very difficult to remove yourself. Without a degree and training, don't even try it. Supposed remedies are Homeland Securitie's Scanner and the Conflicker Source Group's removal tool. Haven't tried either and apparently Conflicker can detect this coming, so either you rename the files being used or trick Conflicker into using it (how the fixes are supposed to work).
This infection can take a while to activate. OR it can happen all at once.
Things that will not help getting of Conflicker:
System Reboot
Sweeping the Hardrive
System Restore Point
Conflicker will either fudge the results or stop these from working. Or if you're already infected to the MAX, Conflicker has reset how these work. This nasty little bug rewrites how your computer works, inserts itself into the program files randomly and boots up with your computer. However, your computer doesn't need to be on for damage to occur.
That's all for now. I know a good deal more, but take my advice worth whatever, I'm not a real computer buff. Others here are much better.
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Post by Heroic Bilby on Apr 1, 2009 10:32:38 GMT -5
Never heard of it.
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Post by Myth on Apr 1, 2009 13:08:13 GMT -5
My dad actually said something about a nasty virus, but Mum didn`t pay any attention to it. Maybe this was the virus he was talking about. We have a seriously long boot time, but that was only after we brought it back from Best Buy. Never go there, guys. XD
Does anybody know how to catch it before it infects the computer?
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Post by kempff on Apr 1, 2009 14:02:23 GMT -5
My dad actually said something about a nasty virus, but Mum didn`t pay any attention to it. Maybe this was the virus he was talking about. We have a seriously long boot time, but that was only after we brought it back from Best Buy. Never go there, guys. XD Does anybody know how to catch it before it infects the computer? Unfortunately many people have to be taught the hard way with Best Buy...Geek Squad does nothing but charge you inordinate amounts of money for doing so called "scans" and "tune-ups" that you could do yourself for a fraction of the price with a little time spent. Individual Repair technicians are the answer, just find out if they're good or not (reviews online or just ask people who've used them) and they can save you from a good deal of things. A poorly known fact; Best Buy can give you virus's. Yes, or they can make the situation worse. It's a toss up. HOWEVER, it's the same with buying a computer and finding out it's got a virus on it. The virus industry is a profitable, growing, and powerful thing. You have several choices to catch Conficker: Have a secure computer (Virus Protection up to date, A good firewall, Malware protection, secure open connection programs), Have Vista as your OS, or have a Mac. Vista isn't attacked or mangled in the same way the rest of the MS OS's are. It has to do with Vista's security and how Conficker can screw up when it tries to imprint itself. It will still be there, but it's more containable. However....who knows if the new variant can dodge this? Conficker is not aimed at Macs. Explanation easy, Macs are not used by most people...therefore where's the money to be made? Of course then you can't run most programs. ((Again, just laying down my two cents. Any knowledgeable tech guru please share what you know on this, I'd hate to provide false information. What's more, you'd be appreciated. ;D)) |
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Post by Heroic Bilby on Apr 1, 2009 14:12:14 GMT -5
How does a virus make money?
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Post by kempff on Apr 1, 2009 14:20:31 GMT -5
Quite easy.
A hacker put the virus in your computer, this virus could be a keylogger, a trojan, whichever. It simply needs to record what you type, and that's it. Then it can run through your computer and drain a bank account. That easy.
Now the really good hackers can see your screen at the same time on their own, and an even better one makes you think your computer is fine while simultaneously controlling thousands, if not millions of zombified computers. The very best would be from hacker groups, and they..well they do things like Conficker.
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Post by Heroic Bilby on Apr 1, 2009 14:27:18 GMT -5
So those w/o online banking or a need to type any personal information are useless targets?
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Post by kempff on Apr 1, 2009 14:32:33 GMT -5
Perhaps, it depends on what you put on your computer and if you consider it to be valuable.
The other side is that your computer can become a zombie, hence it's controlled by someone else and you're just a freeloader, and then eventually it'll crap out.
It's all relative really, the real question is whether you secure your computer or you buy a new one every time it gets destroyed.
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Post by Dante on Apr 1, 2009 14:34:48 GMT -5
Ooo! I know a really good program that helps with protecting your computer.
It's called Kasperkey and it gets new updates 24/7, so everytime you reboot your computer, it'll be even safer! After uploading it to my laptop, I haven't had another problem!
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Post by Heroic Bilby on Apr 1, 2009 14:36:02 GMT -5
Yeah! Let's burn money! And buy computers with pre-installed viruses! =D
Honestly, I just get whatever protection I can/have to. Don't worry about it much. =/
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Post by kempff on Apr 1, 2009 14:36:54 GMT -5
^Indeed it is, the problem is that you must run it on the notoriously buggy Internet Explorer....and it is slow.
Conficker however, can block Kaspersky if I'm correct.
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Post by angelous on Apr 1, 2009 15:20:58 GMT -5
That's funny. I just read an article about this virus yesterday online. XD
And as for whether or not my computer has it, I don't know, and even though I care, I don't care too much. There isn't anything on this computer worth stealing from. No one that uses it has anything that can be stolen to make money. Trust me, I watched my dad install every program the computer uses that wasn't preinstalled. And anything on it from when it was his computer was wiped when he wiped the hardrive. And if the virus gets to this one, I won't be the only one. But if the government doesn't do anything to reimburse the computers that get hit, I'll be mad, especially if mine is one of them.
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Post by angelous on Apr 1, 2009 20:00:02 GMT -5
Sorry for the double post, but either I had an earlier version of this worm, or I have the current one, or a different worm altogether, I'm not entirely sure cause after being logged off MSN messanger, and having multiple people get a wierd im from me while I was offline, I ran a virus check, after changing my password. The virus check found a worm. So I deleted it. Or at least that is the course of action I told the antivirus to delete it. Not sure if it'll work or not if it is Conficker worm since my antivirus software is Avast!
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I did post in shades of grey if anyone even remembers that lmao