Windows worm trickery for Vista

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-21 05:39:08

The Conficker virus has opened a new can of worms for security experts.

Drives such as USB sticks infected with the virus trick users into installing the worm, according to researchers.

Full story: BBC News

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-21 05:44:09

An earlier related news story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7832652.stm

MathsIsFun · 2009-01-21 09:23:25

It is on an estimated 9,000,000 computers ... worst ever. But not yet activated. When they turn it on, it will be terrible.

And it disables automatic updates to Windows, so you may not be safe!

Time for everyone to check if their copy of Windows (including XP) is up to date.

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-21 09:37:35

Luckily I do not have automatic update-checking configured. Instead I make a point of regularly checking for updates manually. The reason I dont want my computer to automatically check for and download updates is that my computer is low on RAM (I only have 400 MB of it); if it starts downloading updates when Im in the middle of doing something, everything just slows down to a crawl. So I only check for updates when Im not busy doing other things on my computer.

I also have the security patch KB958644 (mentioned in the first news story) safely installed on my computer. (According to my update log, I installed it long ago on Thursday 20 November 2008.) Hopefully my computer hasnt been infected.

MathsIsFun · 2009-01-21 10:43:02

Wouldn't it be nice if the good guys could get control of it and turn it into an antivirus weapon.

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-21 10:57:12

I think the good guys are working hard on it. I hope they succeed.

Identity · 2009-01-21 23:42:44

Geeze I got a virus a while ago but with a trio of antivirus/antispyware programs I hope it's completely gone by now... hope this worm isn't lying dormant somehwere... :S

careless25 · 2009-01-22 06:09:52

Identitiy you shouldn't use multiple Antivirus/firewalls they fight with each other and actually give you less protection. Just use 1 and you should be fine.

JaneFairfax · 2009-01-23 01:20:16

If you use more than one, dont use them all at the same time only one at a time.

Identity · 2009-01-24 01:19:03

Oh thanks, but I only have one antivirus it's called AVG, the other ones are antispyware: 'Malwarebyte's' and 'Ad-aware'. They're all free because I am too lazy too go and buy one

By the way, here's a trick if a virus prevents you from using tools on your computer such as the internet. If you create a new user account (make it administrator or you can't install antivirus programs), the virus should not affect that new account, so you will be able to use all the tools (I think). Then from that new account you can browse tech forums and download recommended antivirus, then transfer the antivirus program to your other account.
(Of couse it's better to be safe rather than sorry in the beginning, but that's what you would do if you're lazy like me)

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2009-01-21 05:39:08

Windows worm trickery for Vista

#2 2009-01-21 05:44:09

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#3 2009-01-21 09:23:25

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#4 2009-01-21 09:37:35

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#5 2009-01-21 10:43:02

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#6 2009-01-21 10:57:12

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#7 2009-01-21 23:42:44

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#8 2009-01-22 06:09:52

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#9 2009-01-23 01:20:16

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

#10 2009-01-24 01:19:03

Re: Windows worm trickery for Vista

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