April Fools Day isn't until Wednesday, but a nasty prank has already been pulled on nearly 10 million PC users. The conficker worm, a computer infection, threatens to launch itself in millions of computers on April 1st. It's been around since last October but you may have it and not even know it.
The virus has been mainly spreading through computers that use Microsoft. In fact, that company has offered a $250 thousand bounty for any information on who started this worm. In the past computer hackers were show boaters, causing random trouble like in the 1995 film "Hackers." But today a cyber criminal underworld exists where money is the primary goal.
"Definitely the sending of spam, it's very popular, it makes a lot of money, stealing of credit card information, stealing of social security numbers, stealing of credentials from google mail, yahoo mail, other email providers as well as stealing credentials for online games," said Curt Wilson the Network Security Officer with SIU Information Technology.
Wilson says no one is sure what will happen with the Conficker virus on April fool's day.
"It's not actually doing anything yet, the only thing that Conficker is doing is spreading itself," said Wilson.
Spreading to almost 10 million computers world wide. Mainly through networks or flash drives being used in infected computers. But once April first comes anything can happen.
"Whether it be sending of spam, or identity theft, or whatever else the criminals think of," said Wilson.
Conficker is designed to update at anytime to turn into a malicious software. But there is some good news, this worm isn't new and there are ways to protect yourself.
"This is a threat that's received a lot of publicity it's not a stealthy threat all of the major vendors have good detection for it at this stage so clean up shouldn't be too difficult," said Wilson.
Windows has set up a website allowing you to have your computer scanned for free it will look for this virus and several others.
yeah, yeah, we know you should've posted this in the other thread
anyway..
HAPPY APRIFL FOOL'S DAY
o well people who are scared dont use your pc
im scared of shit...you all know thsat its jsut the same at october as you said...it jsut going around like normal trying to hack comps. it not gonna be any more lethal on april fools day
:l. Who ever turns in the guy that is in charge, will be a million air. I'm going to find out who did it. >:l
hmmmmm
ill say my little brother created and 'shared' it with the world.
mwhaha >:')
my teacher made it =V
No, i got mcafee fully updated, so i dont care
Still i was kinda shocked when i readed this...
Originally Posted by Sjlasjla
hmmmmm
ill say my little brother created and 'shared' it with the world.
mwhaha >:')
Lmao. I'll go to a computer store, find the nerdiest person, and turn him in?
Good idea?
Originally Posted by imsohoooood
Lmao. I'll go to a computer store, find the nerdiest person, and turn him in?
Good idea?
NO u stealing my idea
Originally Posted by Sjlasjla
NO u stealing my idea
NEWP. I created my own idea, off of yours. Thanks for the tips. I'll send you a gift bag full of haxxxx? Deal?
fuck damn it i have no anti-virus
Originally Posted by ClapBangKiss
fuck damn it i have no anti-virus
THE VIRUS IS GOING TO GET YOU!!!!!!!
ahrrg, anyway i dont believe this shit is true.
Originally Posted by ClapBangKiss
ahrrg, anyway i dont believe this shit is true.
Don't give your hopes up. I just care about my computer, and that's it.
I'm in some boring ass computer class right now. I should download shit.. and hope are network gets a virus.
explains why ur postin alot rly fast and NOT ON IRC