Digital Prank

Conficker is a well known computer worm emerged last October created a big threat among the Windows users. Conficker is also known as Downup, Downandup and Kido now started replicating in an avalanche infecting 3 million PCs 2 weeks ago in its new Avatar. The worm takes advantage of Remote Code Execution exploit with Microsoft Windows operating system and using the infected machine it downloads and installs Malwares from an anonymous server paving way for hackers to exploit. Windows XP and older versions of Windows operating system are the most riskier operating system and users are advised to install the related patch from Microsoft ASAP.

Conficker is very difficult to remove once it has been infected and before it is removed it would have done enough damaged if unnoticed.  The nature of the virus is as follows,

• Exploits the Microsoft Server service vulnerability.
• Stops widows services like Downloads Windows Automatic Update, Windows Security Center, Windows Defender and Windows Error Reporting.
• Downloads and installs malwares creating a way for hackers. This allows hackers to take over the computer remotely.
• Tries to brute-force or guess the password (if it is a weak password) for local network and will try to spread through local network shares. It can infect the thumb drives (USB) by placing an autorun file (Autorun.inf). It always tries to multiply.

Antivirus giant F-Secure claims 8.9 million computers are infected till date. Read the report from F-Secure security centre. To keep your computer safe

• Disable Autorun for external USB drives and external drives when plugged into your PC.
• Install Microsoft’s MS08-067 patch.
• Keep your Antivirus software up-to-date.

Never forget to install Windows updates whenever Microsoft releases one as Windows always remains buggy.