Date: March 31st 2009

From Scott Pam | PC-ASSIST/MAC-ASSIST (Please forward this if you can help someone else prevent the infection...)

The latest virus that has had major discussion is expected to hit the internet tomorrow, April 1, 2009.

This is the CONFICKER virus and it's variants; they are all sleeper cell type viruses. They are remotely activated and then once activated, can cause damage to the system.

It is acknowledged by Microsoft, Symantec, Trend-Micro, McAffee and most of the major players as a significant threat to UNPROTECTED and some protected computers.

Currently there are reports of infections even with Anti-Virus/Internet Security Programs, though I cannot track or determine which ones have not stopped the infections. The creators of this virus have found methods of attack that foil some of the programs designed to protect PCs.

It has been found to be spreading through the Social Networking sites such as FaceBook, MySpace and such as well.

• If you are online with one of these sites and you get a friend request, or install an application request, check to make sure that it is real (see the mail list archive or the link from my main page) as some accounts have been hijacked to promote the spread of the virus.
• If you are not sure of the sender of the request, then do not confirm the request or install the application.

So, let's start with some prevention basics: (Make sure you are connected to the Internet BEFORE doing any of these steps....)

I cannot guarantee complete defense against this one, but sometimes an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

• Make sure that all of your Windows updates have been installed.
  1. Go to Start in XP, or the Windows button in Vista
  2. Go to All Programs
  3. Go to Windows Update and launch it
  4. Follow the onscreen information and click "CUSTOM" if you want to not install certain programs that are not essential or pick "EXPRESS" for a less interactive experience
  5. Let all of the updates get installed
  6. Reboot after it is complete
  7. Go back to Windows Update until there are no further updates available
• Make sure that your Anti-Virus/Internet Security Program has been updated
  1. If you are running Trend-Micro, as most of my clients are, right-click the little red ball in the system tray and left-click Open Main Console
     OR
  2. Go to Start in XP, or the Windows button in Vista
  3. Go to All Programs
  4. Click Trend Micro and go to the Main Console
  5. Click on Updates and make sure that you have the latest updates installed...Trend will let you know if you are current or it will download the latest updates and install it.
  6. Make sure that you run a FULL scan after the updates

If you have another Anti-virus/product, follow the same concepts and make sure that it is updated and the comptuer has been scanned.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAM, PLEASE GO TO http://www.mac-pc-assist.com and click on the Trend-Micro icon. This will take you to the checkout for purchase. You do NOT need to purchase the extended download service and can delete this from your cart. Download it and then clear the "close this box after downloading" checkbox. Make sure that you have copied down your license number...After it finishes, click the RUN button and let it install.

If you have any questions or problems, please call me @ (760) 969-0974.

In Service,

Scott