DON’T FALL PREY!
By Aura Altamiranda
Conficker, the worm, waits for additional instructions while it presently controls over 10 million computers around the world.
First discovered in 2008, Conficker’s control over millions of computers makes it capable of unleashing total chaos as it collects confidential data to send to the unknown group that created it. The world was told that on April 1st, it would activate a so-called "doomsday" effect, but now in retrospect, perhaps it was only an April fool’s joke. Still the worm waits for its update, and we’re left wondering what would it do and who created it.
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Conficker, also known as Downadup or Kido, has outsmarted even the most highly trained professionals and secure anti-virus software. It first entered through a security hole in the Microsoft Explorer Browser to the PC’s around the world. Microsoft quickly issued a patch, however many lax IT supervisors at large companies failed to keep their updates current, so the attack escalated rapidly.
Windows is the only operating system plagued by Conficker. Macs owe their immunity to the differences in codes that characterize their operating systems. A user’s vulnerability to catching the virus lies within the kinds of domains he contacts. The virus also spreads through e-mails and social networking sites, including links within Twitter. In response, the site released a statement warning users not to click links posted by StalkDaily.com, which may be the source of the outbreak.
Earlier this year, England’s Parliamentary computers in the House of Commons were hit by Conficker, as well as the defense force networks in England, Germany and France. The fear lies in the vulnerability of the Internet as the hackers can advise the virus to instruct the millions of infected computers to attack major websites such as Google, Yahoo and Amazon.com.
A user’s vulnerability to catching the virus lies within the kinds of domains he contacts, as well as e-mails and social networking sites, including links within Twitter.
What to do?
- Make sure you have a firewall
- Keep virus protection updated
- Change your passwords
-random letter/numbers
The worm’s latest activity has included sending endless spam and downloading Spyware into its botnets, a network of Conficker-infected PCs. Many believe it is designed for financial gain because the Spyware impersonates the selected site that looks official but is actually a fake. An alarming skill of the worm is its ability to collect data which is stored in its victim’s systems, from every file saved, to every keystroke made; potentially storing credit card information and social security numbers among other highly confidential information. This creates the potential threat of a "Dark Google," a black market of infected computers that would allow criminals to buy and sell confidential information.
In early April, the University of Utah’s computers, including those used by the campus hospitals, were targeted by Conficker, putting patients’ files at risk, in addition to other critical information. Over 700 PCs were infected. The virus has become so advanced that it threatens, in addition to personal computers, the most highly secured government and corporate machines, which have experts scrambling, considering these machines are predominantly Windows.
Microsoft offered a $250,000 reward in February to anyone who stepped forward with incriminating evidence on the creators of the worm. George Stathakopoulos, general manager of Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing group, wrote in a released statement, "Microsoft’s approach combines technology innovation and effective cross-sector partnerships to help protect people from cybercriminals. We hope these efforts help to contain the threat posed by Conficker, as well as those who illegally launch malware accountable."
Conficker, however, has been the catalyst for some good by motivating countries to work together to create a worldwide cyber security system to overcome what is considered the greatest hazard since the SQL Slammer from 2003. At the moment security companies like MacAfee and Norton Antivirus have taken the initiative in developing software to counteract the ongoing epidemic. At this point, however, their effectiveness is questionable.
If you’re not infected, Twitter Us