Tag Archives: virus

Conficker/downadup/kido worm – detection and removal tools

Being as it is that one of this worm’s characteristics is to block access to security websites, this post is to help circumvent this problem. If your computer is infected or you suspect is infected, here’s a number of free detection and removal tools that deal with this infection. Click on the appropriate link to download to your computer. Double click on the file and follow the instructions:

BitDefender Single PC Removal Tool: Removes Downadup from a single PC

McAfee Detection Tool: It can detect if any of your computers is infected in a network

Symantec Removal Tool: Symantec’s W32.Downadup/conficker removal tool

Sophos’ Network Removal Tool: Sophos’ Conficker clean-up tool to remove Conficker from an infected network

Sophos’ Standalone Removal Tool: Sophos’ Conficker clean-up tool to remove Conficker from one or more single computers

Contact me if you need help using any of these utilities.

Conficker virus – Are you infected?

How to interpret:

If you see this above: It probably means this:
All images displayed = Normal/Not Infected by Conficker (or using proxy)
Security/AV logos not displayed = Possibly Infected by Conficker (C variant or greater)
Some security/AV logos not displayed = Possibly Infected by Conficker A/B variant
No images displayed = Image loading turned off in browser?
Any other combination = Poor Internet connection?

Explanation:

Conficker (aka Downadup, Kido) is known to block access to over 100 anti-virus and security websites.

If you are blocked from loading the remote images in the first row of the top table above (AV/security sites) but not blocked from loading the remote images in the second row (websites of alternative operating systems) then your Windows PC may be infected by Conficker (or some other malicious software).

If you can see all six images in both rows of the top table, you are either not infected by Conficker, or you may be using a proxy server, in which case you will not be able to use this test to make an accurate determination, since Conficker will be unable to block you from viewing the AV/security sites.

If you are indeed infected, follow this link for some detection/removal tools:

http://remotehelpexpert.com/blog/?p=98

Let me know if you need help with this.

Your computer is not infected? Really?

People who think they are immune to virus infections because they don’t see a skull and two bones pop up in the middle of their screen or something obvious like that always amuse me. In this case, ignorance is a curse and not bliss. “I don’t need antivirus, I don’t have one installed, I browse the internet and have never had any infection problems.” REALLY?

Let me give you some facts. Scratch that. Let me tell you a little story:

In the beginning of computer and viruses history, one of  the main purposes behind creating and spreading viruses was RECOGNITION. To create a virus and see how far it could spread, or how much damage it could make, and let everybody know about it. It is to that historical age that skulls and bones popping up in your screen belong.

As time went on and by the end of the millennium, a new purpose had emerged: to make a profit out of computer infections. With that change in purpose, it became obvious that a new characteristic would accompany that purpose: STEALTHINESS. In present day, that is the signature of an attack. And it’s working! see how some people believe they’re immune to attacks?

To compound the felony, the rate with which viruses and other malicious software (or malware) are being created has and continues to grow exponentially, thus growing faster than the anti-virus companies can update their ability to detect new malware. So EVEN with anti-malware software installed and kept up-to-date, you are still at risk of getting infected. One out of every 5 computers with installed antivirus protection is infected.

Is YOUR computer infected? Contact me and find out now.