It's a little late now, but I just wanted to post up a quick information journal about this little, extremely annoying, worm. I hate research.

The Conficker worm - which has been previously called the Downadup, Kido, among other things - is a time-activated worm that launches on April Fools Day (the 1st). It's been running for three years now, and there's a huge media hype over it every single year.

The whole point of the virus is to infect the computer, make copies of itself, and spread the infection to other computers. There are a ton of different strains out there, and they all do different things (much like real life viruses). The main one's function is to let the head/source computer gain control of all/any infected computers. Once it is in control, it can do anything it pleases - including record passwords and financial or personal information.

1) There are a few different ways to remedy the situation. First and foremost, visit www. f-secure . com (take out the spaces). It's a security antivirus software website, and worms like this will often disable access to sites like these, to try and prevent their own removal.

2) I can't guarantee that you're out of the woods if you can see it, though. There are a few more steps you'll need to take. First of all, you need to update your antivirus software. I, personally, use Avast! Antivirus, and I downloaded the professional edition trial for this occassion, as it offers higher security.

3) You have to install any windows updates/service packages, too. Annoying as they are, they're needed in this instance. It patches up the holes from a security gap that was suppose to be remedied in 2008. Unprotected computers are most vulnerable, and ones without genuine microsoft software can be hugely at risk, since you get no microsoft updates.

4) The next step is something I found through a bit of research. Symantec offers a free Downadup/Conficker removal tool, which you will need to download to use. Search google "Symantec Downadup Removal," and it should be the second one down. This antivirus software is made specifically to track down the Conficker and remove it. Make sure you follow the rules. You have to turn off system restore while this runs, and while that may seem risky, I assume it's so that the virus can't reset your computer back before it gets deleted. This is a fairly quick run, though, and with nearly a million files on both my computers, it only took me about 30 mins.

5) Next, run your antivirus. Plug in all thumb drives you plan to be using, and scan those too. The scanner took a bit longer for me (probably 45 minutes to an hour), but I got no threats. What I like about Avast is that it's efficient, and, believe me.. you can't miss a virus threat notification. Don't have your volume on high, as a note.

6) Set your antivirus software on high security. I also set my firewall on high security, too, just for best measures.

I can't guarantee anything. This is the way I prepared, and I can guarantee you, I don't think that this thing will cause mass destruction anytime soon (don't quote me on that). This whole thing could just be a big joke, and nothing may happen at all...

But think about it this way. If you prepared... I can guarantee that you won't get any viruses anytime soon.

Happy computing, everyone! Alex
PS: I envy you mac people now. >(