Conficker Follow-up
Gee.....April 1st turned out to be fairly quiet, which is good! That said, the threat still exists as the significance of April 1st was that the deployed infected systems were to request updated instructions from the author(s) of the virus/malware. Those updated instructions might have programed, via the virus/malware, an attack target and date, or simply a new date to check back for more/new instructions.
Reports, from various sources, indicate that a multitude of attempts to get updated instructions were intercepted or the sources that held the information were no longer in existence. Additionally, due to the wide spotlight cast on the issue, systems around the globe were scanned for the infection, infections were removed and systems were updated to prevent being infected in the future.
This points out the need to regularly apply those updates/patches distributed by software developers/publishers and to regularly check that your antiviral/anti-malware security programs are being updated as well. Additionally, take media reports with a grain of salt. While CBS's 60 Minutes report on the issue was comprehensive and largely accurate, several other reports we encountered, both in print and on TV, were significantly inaccurate. The inaccuracies were such that in some cases had the information been followed the problem would not have been fixed, yet the user would have thought it had been! When possible, check multiple sources for recommendations or consult a trusted expert for information.
Reports, from various sources, indicate that a multitude of attempts to get updated instructions were intercepted or the sources that held the information were no longer in existence. Additionally, due to the wide spotlight cast on the issue, systems around the globe were scanned for the infection, infections were removed and systems were updated to prevent being infected in the future.
This points out the need to regularly apply those updates/patches distributed by software developers/publishers and to regularly check that your antiviral/anti-malware security programs are being updated as well. Additionally, take media reports with a grain of salt. While CBS's 60 Minutes report on the issue was comprehensive and largely accurate, several other reports we encountered, both in print and on TV, were significantly inaccurate. The inaccuracies were such that in some cases had the information been followed the problem would not have been fixed, yet the user would have thought it had been! When possible, check multiple sources for recommendations or consult a trusted expert for information.
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