3.5m Windows PCs victimized by Conflicker
You’d better beware of a new worm that’s literally worming its way into infamy: the Conficker (AKA Downadup) worm.
A prolific new worm has spread to infect more than 3.5m Windows PCs, according to net security firm F-secure. The success of the Conficker (AKA Downadup) worm is explained by its use of multiple attack vectors and new social engineering ruses, designed to hoodwink the unwary into getting infected. The worm uses a complex algorithm to develop a changing daily list of domains which infected machines attempt to establish contact with. Hackers need only register one of these possible names to establish contact with the botnet established by Conficker. The tactic is designed to frustrate attempts by security watchers to dismantle the command and control network associated with compromised machines.
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That’s 3.5 MILLION PCs folks. Which is why it really pays to be careful about the site you go to and the files you download, or even the emails that you open. Virus, trojan and worm developers are becoming more clever in disguising their creations nowadays, so you should always be wary of unsolicited emails and messages and downloads that are offered to you. Also, have a good anti-virus that you update regularly, as well as a anti-spyware and malware software. Run these programs regularly to remove any suspicious files that are just waiting for you to open them. These scans may seem tedious, but it’ll be doubly hard if a destructive worm such as Conflicker gets into your system and ruins it.