The five month battle in the IT world against the Conficker Worm has taken a huge step towards being won this week.  Security experts throughout the world have been collaborating to fight the battle against this worm that is set to cause huge challenges across the globe on April 1, 2009.  Although it is not completely disabled and can be cured, experts claim a small victory.

The virus authors of Conficker have flown under the radar up until now, when a flaw in the code was detected.  This detection of this flaw could lead the virus being cured before April 1.

Now, computer users can run easy to use tools from their Antivirus supplier to protect their systems from the threats associated with this worm.  It is recommended that you visit the Antivirus software sites regularly over the next few weeks.

Read Bulletproof’s steps to protect your system from the Conficker.C worm.

CBS has a great video on what worms and virus on the Internet are all about, watch “The Internet is Infected”

Still to this day, we have no idea what the outbreak will look like.  The only thing that Bulletproof is aware of is that the worm is scheduled to call home on April 1 to seek more instructions.  It may be used to capture your personal banking information, run a botnet to spam others, send out denial of service attacks against leading websites or simply overload your own system.

What can you do to protect your business?

• Make sure your Windows Updates are up to date.  Visit http://www.windowsupdate.com and ensure your system is up to date.
• Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Repair Tool
• Ensure your Antivirus Software is up to date, visit your software provider to get the latest updates.  If you are a home user and not part of a business network, you can get free antivirus software from AVG.  Download the Free AVG Antivirus Software today.
• Make sure your Windows Firewall is turn on.
• Ensure you have an anti-malware product running, Windows Defender is a good tool to protect your system.
• Make sure your File and Print Sharing are turn off if you are not sharing information on your computer.
• Make sure you have a firewall on your home network.

Common sense must be exercised at all times while on the Internet.  The Internet is a minefield and new threats are being found every day.  You can’t run and hide, but you need to be secured from the threats out on the Internet today.  Here are some basic tips:

• Don’t open any attachments from anyone that your not expecting, this goes for social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or any other sites.  Also files can be transferred on Instant Messengers as well.  Open attachments can be dangerous, if it looks suspicious, don’t open it.
• Any website can contain malware, some of largest companies have malware on their websites.  Ensure you are running services on your computer that will protect you.  Antivirus, Anti-malware, Firewalls and you practice good surfing habits.

How do you know you are infected with Conficker.C?

Bulletproof is still unsure what exactly will happen on April 1.  Conficker.C may disable antivirus software and block access to security and update sites such as Microsoft Windows Update.  If your antivirus software is currently disabled you may already be infected.

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