Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories
AOL Tech

Tricky Windows Worm Hits 3 Million Computers


Have you updated your Windows machine lately? If not, as always, you certainly should! Word is coming from a number of virus and malicious software experts that a certain piece of nasty software with a number of names has gone on to infect three million Windows machines around the world, with the most infected being in places like China, Brazil, Russia, and India.

The software is known as Conficker, Downadup, or Kido, but by any name, it's a worm, which is software that infiltrates machines and then spreads itself from there. This one is particularly shady and deceptive, renaming itself with every install and also connecting to random online servers, making it very difficult to detect. Once on your machine, it has the power to do whatever it likes, including steal your passwords and private information.

Have you ever been the victim of a computer virus?
Yes13643 (64.0%)
No3952 (18.5%)
I'm not sure.3718 (17.4%)



Thankfully Microsoft has released a patch ensuring your machine will be safe, and most virus manufacturers can detect it. So, make with the updating already! [From: BBC News]




Celebrity Hackings

    In 2007, a hack on 'Hills' star Heidi Montag's Web site claimed that she and Spencer Pratt spread the false rumors of an alleged Lauren Conrad sex tape.

    Getty Images

    Over the course of the 2008 presidential race, both the Obama and McCain campaigns fell victim to foreign hackers, Newsweek revealed after the election. Before the FBI and White House became aware of the breach, the cyber bandits had made off with sensitive policy positions, officials believed.

    Getty Images

    In 2007, somebody hacked Carrie Underwood's MySpace page, turning it into a spam-spewing ringtone promotion. For some reason, we find this one hysterical, and somewhat fitting.

    Getty Images

    In 2007, hackers got hold of Alicia Keys' MySpace page, turning it into a multi-pronged viral attack. Visitors were attacked by spyware through fake video prompts, bogus links and, as if that weren't enough, simply by visiting the site itself.

    Getty Images

    Just Tuesday, a hacker posted the following on Britney Spears' Twitter page: "Hi Yall! Brit Brit here, just wanted to update you all on the size of my vagina. It's about 4 feet wide with razor sharp teeth." Yeesh.

    Getty Images

    Reality show personality Shanna Moakler posted the contact information of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton on her MySpace page in 2007. According to Moakler, she was simply seeking vengeance on the pair, who she was convinced were responsible for posting her own information on MySpace.

    Getty Images

    After Madonna uploaded an MP3 of herself saying, "What the f--- do you think you're doing?" on various file-trading services, somebody hacked their way into the singer's Web site. There, the individual posted unreleased songs from Madonna's forthcoming album 'American Life' with a simple message: "This is what the f--- I think I'm doing."

    Getty Images

Related Links:

Tags: conficker, downadup, kido, patch, security, top, update, virus, windows, worm

Comments

55