20 Million Infected...Are You???
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
March 31, 2009 6:31am CST
It was announced this morning that approximately 20 million computers are infected with the Conficker Worm that is due to activate tomorrow. If you haven't scanned your computer or you don't know how safe your antivirus program is, go to either of these sites. The worm will block you from opening these pages. If either of them open for you, then you should be safe!!! You will be under NO obligation to download their product, you only need to see if their page will open!!!http://www.mcafee.com
http://www.symantec.com
The worm is set to block you from trying to download any antivirus program. So, if either and/or both of these pages won't open, then you need to worry. This is serious enough that Microsoft has offered a $250,000.00 reward to turn in the hacker who created this worm. This worm will be taking over the infected machines stealing your personal & private information & then proceeding on to your friends' machines stealing their info also. Today is the LAST day to be proactive & stop the NUT who created this onslaught. Were you able to open these pages??? If not, do you plan on getting an antivirus program & clean up your computer??? What are your thoughts on protecting yourself, your friends & your computer???
Hmmmm...I wonder... If you don't log on tomorrow & your computer is infected, will you be safe or will it just sit there & wait for you to log on the next time after D-Day. Any ideas on this???
4 people like this
18 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Mar 09
I didn't know you had a Mac computer...heehee..so do I. I read articles about this virus/worm and they all definitely say it will NOT affect Macs...
Mmmm...LadyM..maybe you should get a Mac?
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
1 Apr 09
LadyM. Unless you run a very esoteric piece of software I cannot imagine why you would sooner a PC over a Mac. It's like preferring a steamroller over a sports car.
Pye - It's so easy for us to be smug. No viruses. Fastest startup and close down times. No built in "bloatware", an operating system that actually works. If something fails you don't lose all your work etc etc. We could, if we really wanted to, even run Windows. But why would we? LOL.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
31 Mar 09
I know p1kle. You've told me before. I'd rather worry about a worm than use a Mac. I may eat those words tomorrow, but I doubt it!!! 
1 person likes this
@japerz (86)
• Philippines
31 Mar 09
Currently not infected by now. I can still open the Anti virus sites that were post here. Anybody know if when will be the exact day and time it'll be activated? Like now it's 12:48 Apr.1 here in the Phil. but still I can open the sites. Hopefully my PC is clean with this Conficker worm virus and hoping that this virus is just a joke because it's April's fools day. =)
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
31 Mar 09
It's supposed to occur tomorrow, April 1. I haven't heard a specific time. I'm also hoping that this will become a non-event!!!
1 person likes this
@japerz (86)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
Heard so much about this on the news. I think this is for real but still hoping it's not. Anyway, I suggest using software that freezes C drive for protection. I'm using deep freeze for added protection for virus. Just restart the PC if infected and PC is clean again.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Well I was able to open both pages,Whew, boy was I happy now I am jut going to send the links to my mom as well because she has been having problems the last few days and she surfs alot of sites..and so she is more then likely to get it then me. So I am worried she just got her laptop in February so she doesn't have alot of experience or know how with it and I don't even know about the warranty since she got it slightly used from my brother who got it new and only had it for 3 months. So thanks for the links I will be passing them on to her..
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
http://www.microsoft.com
The Today Show says to see if you can open this link for the ultimate test. The hackers are blocking Microsoft's home page from being opened. They are making it personal with Bill Gates. Staples now say they will scan any PC for free & clean if necessary. I bet they'll charge to clean it. Once your Mom bought your brother's PC it probably negated the warranty. So, if she has a problem, your brother will probably need to take it in to be repaired for her. Being less than computer savvy, I purchased Zone Alarm for my computer. It costs me about $50/year but I've never had a virus attack. During the scan, it has shown I've picked up a virus but it then deletes it. I think it worth $50/year to NOT have to buy a new computer!!! The geeks hate Zone Alarm, but I find it perfect for somebody like me. I receive an unsafe attachment & Zone Alarm goes crazy telling me to back off!!! For an extra $30, I can protect up to 3 computers. I only had one problem with Zone Alarm & that was when Microsoft did an update & told Zone Alarm to completely block access to the internet. Turned out it was a simple setting in the control panel. So the ONLY problem that I've had with Zone Alarm was actually caused by Microsoft!!!
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
1 Apr 09
I am safe and uninfected - or at least according to my antivirus I am and since I could open that page I guess that proves it! I can understand Microsoft offering a huge reward as who knows what this lunatic may create next? I really cannot understand people who go out of their way to do such negative things when they could use these talents in so many positive ways.I do tend to think that if you did have that worm sitting in your computer and didn't log in on d--day it would still be sitting there waiting on activation as soon as you did power on!xxx
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
From what they are saying now, it could have been just siting there waiting since November. It has to wait for its Master to give the next command. They are also saying it could possibly execute anytime between today & April 10. Why do they do it??? One hacker who got caught was on TV. He said he had been trying to get a job with Microsoft & they kept turning him down. So he came up with a virus they couldn't stop just to show Microsoft that he was a worthy candidate for a job. Well, Microsoft did hire him as a consultant to show them how it worked. That was right before he went to jail. There is a group of hackers trying to catch this hacker so they can turn him in. Guess there is no honor in hackers!!! Another test Mo...go to http://www.microsoft.com & see if it opens. This hacker was smart enough to block Microsoft's home page. One time they say our antivirus programs won't detect it. The next they say it is the ONLY way to stop it. The more they talk, the more confused I become!!! 
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I firmly believe it's better to be safe than sorry. So, I have more than one safeguard on my computer. I keep them on automatic update so I don't miss anything. When Microsoft does an update, I curse for days & think about cutting it off. Then when there is a scare, I'm usually glad I have the updates. The Y2K hoax was no where near this one. Y2K just needed a program fix & Microsoft knew the code. This worm is an unknown & the hackers are trying to prove something to Bill Gates at the expense of others. Microsoft has offered a $250,000 reward & I sooo wish I knew who the hacker was!!! 
1 person likes this
@vivianchen (2646)
• China
1 Apr 09
So far so good. Or maybe becase time difference. Happy April Fool Day!
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
So far so good here too & it's 10:00 am. Now they are saying it may happen anytime between now & April 10. Seems to me they may be crying wolf!!! Think they sell more product when we are nervous about viruses??? Now they are saying if you can get into the http://www.microsoft.com your computer is safe at this point. I just tried it along with the 2 sites above & I seem to be safe...atleast for now!!!
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
31 Mar 09
I listened to a computer expert this morning on the local news and learned nothing. Each time he was asked a question his answer was, "I don't know." So you can see how much I learned..lol I did type in Symantec and the site came up without a problem. So today I don't have a problem. Tomorrow I will continue on as usual and if I can't get online or have problems, will call one of the local computer repair shops to see what they suggest or stop by and talk with them.
This kind of situation is sick. I would think someone has better things to do with their life than to disrupt computers. Can it be fun to cause this havoc, I think not. Reminds me of the person who starts a fire and then loves to watch the firetruck show up. Must create some kind of crazy excitement.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
31 Mar 09
It seems this hacker was smarter than the average bear!!! They can't tell us anything because they don't know anything!!! YES, it takes a sick individual to wreak all this havoc. I'm sure they are sitting there crowing. They are soooo freaking smart that Microsoft can't figure it out!!! Kinda like Bill Gates felt when he screwed IBM. 
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Mar 09
What I can't understand is that this particular "worm" has been around since around last November from what I read, so that means peoples computers may have already been affected/infected. Curious though, even though I have a Mac computer, and it clearly says only Windows operated PCs are at risk I opened up those links...no problema..was able to access them. On the one site, the symantec one, did you watch the video??? It said one of the hackers was a fourteen year old of prior worms...like WTF???
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Yes, they said on the news tonight that they have known about the worm since November. I don't understand why they waited until 2 weeks before it is to strike to let the public know about it. They also said there is NO known way to clean your system if you do have it. Staples says they will be giving free scans of any PC based system brought into their store claiming they will clean it for you. If there is no known way to clean your own computer, how can Staples clean it for you??? Microsoft announced that they are offering $250,000 reward for information leading to the hacker. If they know he's 14 years old, why offer a reward??? If he has some friends helping him, give him the $250k to rat on his friends. One reporter slipped tonight & said they don't even know if it's a real threat. I didn't watch the video, I just checked to see if the site would open. I have about 5 different checks & balances on my system that warns me of potential problems. I'm beginning to wonder if Microsoft & the press aren't suffering from Munchausen Biproxy.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
31 Mar 09
Yes, I have already heard. Most anti-virus programs have set up to catch this virus. Since it is already announced, it will be those with no protection or who have not updated. My does auto updates and I have never had a virus on this computer in 4 years. Also, Firefox will not let me open certain things as it has it's own protection.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
31 Mar 09
I had heard of the worm several weeks back; but, at that time, they were not letting us know how to detect it on our computer. This morning they said that most people had a false sense of security because their antivirus program came up clear. Then they admitted that most antivirus programs were not updated to cover this worm as yet. I have my computer set for auto updates also & have been safe for 5 years now. I also have Firefox & am hoping it will help protect during this time. I have Zone Alarm on my computer also. It has a great antivirus & spyware program. Zone Alarm will go crazy if I receive a suspicious attachment to an email & delete it before I can open it.
1 person likes this
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I just updated my virus protection and did a scan. I am not sure if staying off will help. It is 1 am here, nothing yet. Besides news reports say it may take place any day after April 1 and at anytime, no one knows for sure.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Yes, up until 11:00 pm yesterday they kept saying April 1. On the late news last night, they said any time between April 1 & April 10. They seem to know an awful lot on one report to know nothing on the next!!!
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
Yes, I heard that on my news last night. Well, so far I'm here today & so is my net!!! 
1 person likes this
@zidane101 (50)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
I don't know, I still believe it is just a hoax...April 1 is April Fool's Day after all....so relax.....
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
You relax if you want to. You won't be buying me a new computer if it's not a hoax. I prefer to err on the side of safety!!!
1 person likes this
@Carolinaqt782 (193)
• United States
31 Mar 09
as of now, i was able to open the links...*knock on wood* lol. i wonder what we are supposed to do as far as protection goes, because from what i have heard, this worm is ahead of ALL anti-virus protection programs widely available. even if you don't use your computer tomorrow, if a friend's is infected, it could possibly infect yours, as well. scary thought that we can't really do anything :S
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
31 Mar 09
According to the news report this morning,...if you can open these 2 links, you're OK for now. I guess we better beware of ANY emails we receive over the next several days!!!! Now we can't even trust emails from our friends.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
1 Apr 09
I seldom visit ANY site except myLot & my local new site. 
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
31 Mar 09
I'm safe right now. I don't download anything normally, so I don't get a lot of exposure to viruses. I've also told my friends that I don't open attachments. I use Avira, a free antivirus program and has warned me a couple times recently about pages that might have viruses and it asks me if I want to continue--I always say no!
I'm going to email my friends and family today just to be sure they know about it.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
31 Mar 09
You can't be too careful these days. My early warning system always warns me when I enter myLot!!!It always says...beware & keep your eyes open!!! 
1 person likes this
@dreamweaverjan (3471)
• United States
6 Apr 09
HI there LadyMarissa: I've been really worried about this virus but so far all is good on my puter;
Those people that create these things, why can't they do some good instead of always creating such havoc and or stealing people's info and such;
