HACKER CONFICKER: is this true !!!!

[Lara_Zoz2006]

I read an article in the paper today about a dormant virus that could have got into plps pcs called the Hacker Conficker and on april 1st it would turn on affected millions of pcs worldwide.
Im a bit septicle considering the day is April Fool day.
Does anyone know if this is legit.

[spikejones]

What "paper" did you read that in? I'm skeptical. It seems to me that if they know about the "dormant virus" they would know how to get rid of it ;)

[Drone]

sounds like a bull****

[spikejones]

well perhaps not so bull**** afterall:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/dd452420.aspx

but I do think its hyped moreso than others.

more detailed info on the 4 known variants here:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32/Conficker

[Drone]

there are tons of Worm:Win32. It's serious yup but not lethal.

last week I read about virus that can harm BIOS and totally destroy it. 2 days later author said that he's sorry because article was hoax. Even tho theoretically maybe it's possible who knows

[spikejones]

^theoretically yes it is possible actually. Some BIOS chips can be flashed from within windows. but it needs an application to interface with the BIOS chip. And that is most likely specific to each mobo model, and not really a global threat.

[TRfan23]

Is it possible to make a virus blow up a computer? Like make it automatically 'overclock' your CPU, much more then it can withstand, that your cooling fan is very weak?

[EscondeR]

there are tons of Worm:Win32. It's serious yup but not lethal.

last week I read about virus that can harm BIOS and totally destroy it. 2 days later author said that he's sorry because article was hoax. Even tho theoretically maybe it's possible who knows

^theoretically yes it is possible actually. Some BIOS chips can be flashed from within windows. but it needs an application to interface with the BIOS chip. And that is most likely specific to each mobo model, and not really a global threat.

There is a modification of Chernobyl virus that overwrites/spoils BIOS data. It's known since 1999-2000.

[spikejones]

Is it possible to make a virus blow up a computer? Like make it automatically 'overclock' your CPU, much more then it can withstand, that your cooling fan is very weak?
been watching live free or die hard?

my PC won't overclock (that I've been able to figure out) of course its dead already.would be interesting to find out about that. I guess it is theoretically possible. But I doubt any "explosion" will occur.

[TR cheatfinder]

I got a hacker into my computer once and it was an asshole to get rid of, if this is true, then god I hope i won't affect mine, I use Norton 360, so it should be ok.

[JonnyT]

On the Dell Support Center Program on my PC, I got a message about this virus. Not sure if it's true though.. but why would Dell lie?

Links me to: this page (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&docid=355792&l=en&s=gen).

[dox online]

If your worried you could get a sandbox program like sandboxie or defense wall, or an IPS like GESwall. These programs Isolate internet downloads from your computer, so you will be safe from this conficker worm.
These programs may be downloaded from here:
sandboxie (http://www.sandboxie.com/) - free but with paid features. nags you to buy it after a certain period.
defense wall (http://www.softsphere.com/) - shareware
geswall (http://www.gentlesecurity.com/) - free with paid features

Stay safe!

[Sir Croft]

Wikipedia's got a nice article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker) on the subject. It explains how it works and how to prevent the infection.

[TRfan23]

Can't a virus cause your Processes, to use up more RAM memory then they normally should?

Actually if I created a virus using Visual Basic Language, it wouldn't detect it on any Internet Security would it? Considering that'd just be treated like an ordinary program?

Same if I was to make a .bat file saying the following command

net user [Logon User Name] [Password]

e.g. net user Bubbles Banana

Then send it to an enemy of yours, to **** them off.

[EscondeR]

^ That is how all virus writings start :mis: From nothing to do and a wish to **** somebody off... and trying to become "outstanding" - cheap way.

BTW, even on VB, if your "virus" tries to self replicate or do harm it'll be added to AV bases soon and generally recognized by any AV with good heuristics on any stage.

[spikejones]

^yeah... apparently AVG heuristics flagged my ATI Driver Update Checker as a "virus". :vlol: dunno if its because it was creating temp files, or if its because it was scanning the registry?

[EscondeR]

More likely the latter :)

[rr_carroll]

TRfan23, if you want to feel cool and daring, why not throw a rock through someone's window? Oh yeah, you might get caught.