April Fools Joke or the real deal?

[pete379]

  I read on another site that there is a nasty worm, trojan  or what ever, that your computer can crash. It is suppose to happen on April 1st.Is this for real, and what can we do to protect ourselves. I downloaded 8 and took it off. My IE7 sucks cause of issues that lmao dell couln't fix..I basically use Mozilla....

[disneyland lady]

http://www.pogocheats.net/forum/index.php/topic,37194.0.html

This is where they discuss the topic.

[Stinkerbell]

http://www.pogocheats.net/forum/index.php/topic,37194.0.html

This is where they discuss the topic.

That's what I'm sayin'....

[C~M]

The virus will get all Firefox & IE7 users so you need to get the IE8.

[Squid]

That's what I'm sayin'....

We thought that was you tawkin'....

[Squid]

The virus will get all Firefox & IE7 users so you need to get the IE8.

How about if I keep my IE7 but change the date on my calendar?

[C~M]

How about if I keep my IE7 but change the date on my calendar?

You know I was joking Squid....lol

[Squid]

You know I was joking Squid....lol

Clearly, I'm a dork.   

[C~M]

naw u ain't

If you keep your antivirus up to date it should catch it tho.

[Magzy]

and this happens to be on challenge day, and supposedly new m&m's....I maybe be paranoid (I also see black helicopters) but I may change date, and shut off puter for that day...

[Stinkerbell]

I heard this morning that the computers the "worm" is targeting are about 1,000 world wide and belong to embassys and the Dhali Lama, and most of the computers are in China. Or something like that. Of course, the Chinese gov't denies this.

[arniebear]

Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need:

    * Windows VISTA
    * Windows Live Update

Step1
USING VISTA TO DETECT APRIL 1 VIRUS

Because most anti-virus programs are not capable of detecting the virus, running a virus scan could easily deliver misleading results. Instead of checking for the virus with your security software, using Vista to check for symptoms of the virus is a more effective approach.

Though the virus, aka Conflicker C virus, is mostly dormant until the April 1 activation date, there is one action the computer virus takes immediately in order to spread itself more easily.

If you are using Vista, your operating system should be set up to check for automatic updates. To combat any interference from the operating system, the virus shuts these automatic updates off. In some cases, detecting the virus is as simple as checking the status of live updates.

Note that this is not a method that can verify your system is virus free. Instead, it is recommended you use this method to check for warning signs that a virus is present. Though you may not see warning signs of a virus using this method, you could still possibly be infected.
Step2
OPEN WINDOWS UPDATE

From your Vista Start Menu (click the Windows Icon in the bottom left side of your desktop screen), select 'All Programs'. Next, select 'Windows Update' from the resulting list of programs.
Step3
CHECK THE UPDATE STATUS

The update status is shown on the first screen when the program opens. Look for "You Have Windows Set to" which should appear near the bottom of the text report. The corresponding status, appearing to the right, should indicate automatic updates. For instance, it might read, "Automatically install updates everyday at 3pm," which is the recommended setting.

If the program displays this message, there is no indication that the virus is present. Remember, this is not validation that your computer is clean, but rather it marks the absence of a virus infection indicator.
Step4
NO UPDATES SCHEDULED

If Windows Update is not set to update automatically, it MAY be an indication of the Conflicker C, or April 1 Virus.

If you KNOW Windows Updates were set to occur automatically, you should be concerned. Shutting down automatic updates is one of the few tell-tale signs of the virus. If you do not know for certain what the status of updates was, move on to the next step.
Step5
TURN ON AUTO UPDATES

If updates were not scheduled to occur automatically, you should now change the settings. To do this, click "Change Settings". This option appears in the blue sidebar on the left of the Windows Update screen.

Next, click "Install Updates Automatically" and specify the details of your preferences in the options below. When done, click "OK".
Step6
CHECK FOR APRIL 1 VIRUS INDICATORS OFTEN

Once you have changed the settings, you should return regularly, at least on a daily basis, to check that the settings have not changed. If the setting has changed to stop auto updates, you should have your computer serviced by a professional.

[Mistyeyed]

what does the Dalai Lama have on his computer thats so important? actually,i didnt even know they had computers...

[Stinkerbell]

what does the Dalai Lama have on his computer thats so important? actually,i didnt even know they had computers...

Chinese take out phone numbers?

[Homer]

Chinese take out phone numbers?

[disneyland lady]

Chinese take out phone numbers?

And a Chinese Laundry - those saffron robes are heck to keep clean.

[mr.clean]

So if i don'nt upgrade too EX 8.0 i will get this virus?

[Tara]

So if i don'nt upgrade too EX 8.0 i will get this virus?

I wouldn't pay much attention to most of this topic, they've turned into a bigger joke than April Fools Day will be. 

[Mistyeyed]

i agree..im not getting all hyper about it..

[AustinBennett]

According to an article by Dwight Silverman dated 3/30/09 " Conflicker " aka Downadup is a worm that is very real . Whether or not the actual threat will be carried out as suggested on 4/1/09 is not a certainty but it would be wise to have all protective systems up to date including Microsoft Windows patches . If in question , visit http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?stroryid=5860 . A detailed and frequently updated list of removal tools and instuctions may be found here .   AB