Users of Microsoft computer products are being urged to take precautions to ensure their PCs do not fall victim to the latest computer worm, which may damage unprotected computers anytime from tomorrow.
The Conficker C worm has already infected millions of computers worldwide but experts fear the hackers will try to escalate the damage on 1 April.
This computer worm infiltrates your PC over the internet or by a USB connection. Once it is in your computer, the Conficker C worm digs deep and tries to hide.
Its purpose remains a mystery.
Whoever designed it has instructed it to escalate its work on April Fools’ Day. But computer experts say this is not a joke.
Michael Conway of Renaissance Contingency Services says; ‘We simply don't know what it is designed to do yet. It may be asked to do things, take information on Credit Cards, take other information’.
Editor of PCLive! Niall Kitson says that anytime from tomorrow the Conficker Worm will change its mutation and reach out to tens of thousands more computers telling them to contact a mainframe and await instructions.
‘Microsoft are leading a consortium of experts who are trying to track down the people responsible for the worm. There is a 250,000 dollar reward on offer for whoever can help bring these people to justice’.
Microsoft stresses the vast majority of users of its products will be already protected but there are three simple rules to follow to combat the Conficker worm, according to Ronnie Dockery of Microsoft Ireland.
‘Keep your Microsoft system operating with up to date security updates, use and implement your firewall, and use a good anti virus product. Also use sophisticated passwords, and don't open e-mail attachments from people you don't know’.
