The Conficker Worm: is the tail wagging the dog?
The Conficker worm is scheduled to activate on April 1
The program does not infect Macintosh or Linux-based computers.
It is possible to detect and remove Conficker using commercial antivirus tools offered by many companies. However, the most recent version of the program has a significantly improved capacity to remove commercial antivirus software and to turn off Microsoft’s security update service. It can also block communications with Web services provided by security companies to update their products. It even systematically opens holes in firewalls in an effort to improve its communication with other infected computers.
Its aim is to create the largest ever botnet of infected computers.
Attacks (and threats of attacks) like these benefit the security software manufacturers. Am I paranoid to suspect that some of them are secretly bankrolled by the companies protecting us against them, ensuring that their products remain relevant and necessary?
Just a thought...
pr0gr4mm3r posted this at 10:25 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,502 posts
Joined: Sep 2006
Some anti-virus software has had a history of infecting their host computers after the subscription has expired.
decibel.places posted this at 14:30 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,494 posts
Joined: Jun 2008
There are many viruses that masquerade as legit anti-virus and anti-spyware apps - install them and you're infected. They prey on the victim's fear. Many also offer to "uninfect" you if you pay them after a free download; in many cases it is $$$ wasted.
Be sure you use a legitimate AV. I use Avast, many also use Avira. I think Norton s*cks.
pr0gr4mm3r posted this at 14:48 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,502 posts
Joined: Sep 2006
I'm talking about before the flood of rouge AV programs. I believe there were a couple well known AV companies that did this practice.
decibel.places posted this at 14:53 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,494 posts
Joined: Jun 2008
Norton, Symantec etc will nag you unceasingly until you resubscribe or delete them entirely...
I recommend the PC Decrapifier to remove unwanted pre-installed OEM software.
decibel.places posted this at 15:53 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,494 posts
Joined: Jun 2008
Conficker Worm Deadline Passes Quietly - So Far
So is Conficker 4/1 a hoax? or did the publicity avert a disaster?
I notice that McAfee is prominently included in this article - can't buy publicity like that (unless you bankroll the malware creators).
I still have some files around for an April Fools virus hoax I planned in 1997, using animated gifs... I know, not funny - but "those were different times," as Lou Reed said...
pr0gr4mm3r posted this at 16:04 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,502 posts
Joined: Sep 2006
This all could be a very good April Fools joke.
greg posted this at 15:29 — 1st April 2009.
He has: 1,581 posts
Joined: Nov 2005
Norton was a good AV years ago, but Symantec bundled it with other protection options and the entire thing became bloated and resource heavy.
Antispyware, Botnet protection, Browser protection, Intrusion prevention, Norton Protection System etc.
No, just something that stops viruses and worms please.
Their home security package is even worse for bloated and over-kill checking.
Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.