Computers, Windows Software, Laptops, desktops
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
sue said 2:11PM on 1-19-2009
stole my bank account and kept changing my firewall
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nancy said 3:15PM on 1-19-2009
Sue where do I download the fix?
Bobby said 2:40PM on 1-19-2009
I don't keep my personal information on my computer. If it isn't there, no one can steal it. Plain, simple... try it sometime. So many people voluntarily put their information where others can potentially get to it. STOP PUTTING YOUR INFORMATION WHERE OTHERS ARE TEMPTED TO GET IT!
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Gabby said 8:03PM on 1-19-2009
Though that is the foolproof way of beating these things, there is one more step you can take.
Use Ubuntu.
---Most intruders enter through Windows. Be safe. Use Linux.---
Geoff said 12:03AM on 1-22-2009
Let's see where your argument takes us.
If you have a PC/Windows machine, don't use it for personal things. And, don't use it for company proprietary information. And, don't put anyone else's personal information on it.
Thus, the only thing that should be on a PC/Windows machine is solitaire because it's as useless as the PC, itself.
Doc said 2:47PM on 1-19-2009
Simple solution: switch to a MAC.
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dc7338 said 6:36PM on 1-19-2009
Couldn't agree with you more! I have had Macs for 8 years, including an Intel- NEVER had any virus!
You Windows users- SWITCH!
ComputerProcessor said 2:49PM on 4-01-2009
Mac's are safe from the Conficker and other 32 to 64-bit viruses, but Just switching won't be neccessary if you have the right anti-viruses. Like SpyBot Search & Destroy is one of the best free anti-virus there is. If you want a good pair of anti-viruses, get NOD32. If your computer is 32-bit, this is perfect for you. These two anti-viruses are perfect for each other because NOD32 scans, blocks attacks, and deletes, and SpyBot scans, protects, and fixes registry errors. So don't use a lot of money by just switching to Mac, just update your computer regularly and keep your anti-virus up-to-date.
Wolf said 3:11PM on 1-19-2009
The people that create these things should be paraded through town and locked in a stockade, allowing anyone affected to throw rotten fruit and veggies at them. Ok, I know, kind of middle ages, but it would be fun.
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shaunisadirty said 3:14PM on 1-19-2009
Even better solution, keep your computer updated. Microsoft is on top of these things these days. I work in technical support, supporting both Macs and PCs and I can tell you first hand the only two reasons people have problems are because they either a: don't keep their computer up to date or b: do a lot of, mostly illegal, things on the internet where they would get attacked and infected - and even more so because their computer isn't up to date. Trust me, macs are easy out of the box but when you have a problem, which you will they are comptuers - not saints, they are even more difficult to diagnose and fix than pcs.
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Mule said 3:15PM on 1-19-2009
Doc it's not such a simple solution. Unless your really familar with a MAC, it aint goan be easy. Then there is the price of a Mac, until they really start to drop on price why bother? Rather do like Bobby says, Don't put your personal info on the computer, that's a much simpler solution. CHANGE YOUR PW OFTEN!
Nuff said, find a low life that likes to make virus's? Break him or her into little pieces. If you get popped, tell em you was insane at the time.
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Frieda said 3:41PM on 1-19-2009
I too would like to know where to download the fix. I've looked and looked and am unable to find it anywhere on the Microsoft website. Also, I have automatic Windows updates -- will the patch come along with that automatically?
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Tim Stevens said 3:42PM on 1-19-2009
Yes, all you need to do is run Windows Update (go to http://www.windowsupdate.com in Internet Explorer) and you'll get the necessary fix.
mike said 9:23PM on 1-19-2009
The update was distributed Oct 1 2008. If you go to the windows update site, just do a search on the " Conficker Security update " and it will show you the KB958644 update that was either auto installed then or will be if you let Microsoft scan your computer to check for it. This is old information that is on the AOL news page.
billyloco said 4:13PM on 1-19-2009
MAC IS EXPENSIVE?? not as much as when the ass88888..a real expense 2 b sure.ino!
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KIERSTEN WOODS said 4:03PM on 1-19-2009
REMOVED PICTURES OUT OF MY PUTER!! STOLE MY BANK ACCOUNT INFO---THEN ON TOP OF THAT---DID STUFF ON AOL---ASKING OVER 5000 CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR PERSONAL INFO!! I GOT TERMINATED FROM AOL!! FOR 1 YR!! AND AOL WOULD NOT BELIEVE ME THAT I NEVER DID ANYTHING!! --BEYOND THIS----I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY BANKING UPDATE PREVENTATIVE STUFF--WHICH ALERTED ME! IF I DID NOT HAVE THAT---COULD YOU IMAGINE? TO THIS DAY I WONDER ABOUT IT....
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somebodys sunshine said 7:07PM on 1-19-2009
Thank you for that info...I wonder if thats the problem I've been having with my AOL software lately. Did you have a problem with AOL shutting down before you were aware of it.
mike said 7:00PM on 1-19-2009
TO ALL the people that say switch to mac... PLEASE the only reason that MAC has less problems with these things is most people have pc's as soon as the majority goes to MAC guess WHAT.. MAC will be having the same problems.. Hackers and such wont bother with mac untill then. its not worth there time. keeping your anti virus/spyware updated is the only way to be safe besides not downloading stuff that you dont know is safe.
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Gabby said 5:23AM on 1-20-2009
Yeah, you keep thinking that...
Geoff said 11:49PM on 1-21-2009
Mike, interesting rationale. You would forgo doing something that has substantial benefit today because, possibly, in the future, the benefit may diminish. Your argument is as old as the Mac, itself - 24 years. And, to date, the Mac is rock solid. At that rate, one should expect another 24 years of superior performance from the Mac. Better yet, just stay with your PC/Windows and spend lots of time downloading the latest patches to you antivirus software and then cleaning everything up when an unexpected virus sneaks through. I guess you don't have much else to do with your abundant free time. Me, I like to be producing within 5 seconds of flipping up the screen on my MacBook each and every time.