Latest Conficker worm gets nastier

[Computer Hope Admin]

The authors of the latest variant of the Conficker worm are upping the ante against security vendors who are working to stop the spread and threat of the persistent program.

Conficker.C shuts down security services, blocks computers from connecting to security Web sites, and downloads a Trojan. It also is programmed to begin connecting to 50,000 different domains on April 1 to receive updated copies or other malware, as opposed to connecting to 250 domains a day as previous versions are doing, Ben Greenbaum, senior research manager for Symantec Security Response, said on Friday.

The authors of the code are "strengthening their hold on their collection of infected machines at the same time they are attempting to strengthen their ability to control those machines by moving to 50,000 domains," he said.

Link

[squall_01]

  all considering this could be bad for us all.  Not so much me but the rest of us.

Notice: All New Novice Members Do All Updates For Windows and Virus protection software.  Also, have a maleware scanner is recommened like spybot or AVG has one built in but will conflict with other virus scanning programs. 

[paudashlake]

Conficker countdown::::::

According to my timezone, conficker is set to launch and DESTROY in 46 minutes!!!!

[BC_Programmer]

*yawn*.

[squall_01]

  That is scary, like to also note that it is going to be a trojan possibly.  So has it gone off then?  Also, what is the captin and chief and commodore thing really about?

[fakewaterwalker]

Not saying i would, but i wish i could write a program like that.... Hmmm, *updating windows, running scans.

Note: you should tell em that if they are at most risk, if they run Windows.

[squall_01]

why unless you tell linux what to look for it will just go to your windows machine if your useing it as a gateway to get online.  Unless your useing it solely that is if you can use it then your risk is lower.  Dont start that crap.  Be like you should tell them it mite be like y2k which I'm not saing is true or not. 

[fakewaterwalker]

well, im not saying if you don'r run windows 'be careless'
im simply saying windows users are at greatest risk..
I hope everyone is sure to use caution.
-- and really people who write these programs, should be ashamed of themselves... really now study programming and do this?. well you be the judge of that.

[squall_01]

there not todally to blame, the fact of what there doing with it is. 

[fakewaterwalker]

well my friend just explaind something to me.

If there wernt people out there making Malware, viruses, and worms... wouldn't it be bad for some people.
I may get chastised for this but ill say it.

if there were no people making ill willed programs, people who run companies for computer safety, like element 5 (AVG), would go out of buisiness, or would have never started... those people who work there would be possibly jobless, hurting thier respective countries economy.

[squall_01]

Then what? 

[squall_01]

Your all ways going to have just that one person.  I ment that these guys could have been better as preventers rather then infectors.  Your ordeal of thoughts is too narrow look at it from other presectives

[fakewaterwalker]

unfortunately, i believe your correct.

[squall_01]

you got that right 

[Helpmeh]

The authors of the latest variant of the Conficker worm are upping the ante against security vendors who are working to stop the spread and threat of the persistent program.

Conficker.C shuts down security services, blocks computers from connecting to security Web sites, and downloads a Trojan. It also is programmed to begin connecting to 50,000 different domains on April 1 to receive updated copies or other malware, as opposed to connecting to 250 domains a day as previous versions are doing, Ben Greenbaum, senior research manager for Symantec Security Response, said on Friday.

The authors of the code are "strengthening their hold on their collection of infected machines at the same time they are attempting to strengthen their ability to control those machines by moving to 50,000 domains," he said.

Link

1. Link broken

2. If the programmers become white-hats, then the world will be much securer (I guess...)

[BC_Programmer]

Linux users and Mac users are.. (or should I say were) completely safe from this worm. it's a Win32 program.


In regards to the mention that if there weren't any malware authors there wouldn't be any AV companies and the jobs they provide, that's like saying we wouldn't need hospitals if people would stop getting hurt and getting old, and we wouldn't need police if people would follow the law. Unfortunately it's a matter of human nature that if "laws" aren't enforced then they really don't exist to be followed except as guidelines. And we all know how many people refuse to follow guidelines, or make up their own.

[Computer Hope Admin]

1. Link broken

2. If the programmers become white-hats, then the world will be much securer (I guess...)

Link works fine for me.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Pretty good overview of monitoring Conflicker throughout April 1st.

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2009/04/tracking_conficker_so_far_its_a_snoozer_1.html

[squall_01]

I think that is were in lined some of the joke, ha , that its supposed to get us thinking attack and not happen.

[BC_Programmer]

I think that is were in lined some of the joke, ha , that its supposed to get us thinking attack and not happen.

I was thinking that as well.

[squall_01]

  i wasnt the only one then more or less

[Helpmeh]

I think that conficker is definatly not a joke. Think about it: Why would someone go to ALL that work, just for nothing to happen (other than what we already know)?

[BC_Programmer]

I think that Y2k is definatly not a joke. Think about it: Why would the media go to ALL that work, just for nothing to happen (other than what we already know)?

see the similarity? LOL

[Helpmeh]

see the similarity? LOL

Because it's the media...they want to milk us for all we're worth. Think about all the money people spent on bottled water alone in the month before that happened.

But this is different.

[BC_Programmer]

you're right that it is different- but you have to agree that it's been blown out of proportion. I couldn't help laughing at the news here, it said it "burrowed deep into the core of windows"... that's what ALL viruses try to do, this one isn't any better at concealing itself then any other.


The only reason it's such a big issue is that they technically don't have the payload; currently it's just a trojan downloader- basically victims are at the mercy of the authors as to what exactly happens.


It's really no more difficult to remove then conventional infections, though.

[Helpmeh]

you're right that it is different- but you have to agree that it's been blown out of proportion. I couldn't help laughing at the news here, it said it "burrowed deep into the core of windows"... that's what ALL viruses try to do, this one isn't any better at concealing itself then any other.


The only reason it's such a big issue is that they technically don't have the payload; currently it's just a trojan downloader- basically victims are at the mercy of the authors as to what exactly happens.


It's really no more difficult to remove then conventional infections, though.

Exactly. Y2K didn't really happen. Conficker did.

[BC_Programmer]

true, conficker most assuredly does exist- and it definitely is more dangerous then programs that store years as two digits, if only potentially.

[Helpmeh]

true, conficker most assuredly does exist- and it definitely is more dangerous then programs that store years as two digits, if only potentially.

lol

[squall_01]

but thinking about the people who are useing norton were do you think that money goes to stay most recent?  All the more reason for a free antivirus.