SYMANTEC AND THE CONFICKER WORM

SEFUL PRODUCT INFORMATION: SYMANTEC AND THE CONFICKER WORM :
There has been a lot of news about the Conficker Worm this week and Symantec is on the front lines in protecting internet user’s private information from this malicious software. Here is some useful copy you can use for your sites to let customers know what they can do to protect themselves against the latest in internet threats.
Sometimes called Downadup or Kido, the Conficker Worm has infected a large number of computers around the world. As yet, not much is known about the virus or what it is specifically set to do but some researchers estimate that millions of computers have been infected with the threat since January. Current users of Symantec’s Norton security products are protected.
With the latest versions of Norton AntiVirus 2009, Norton Internet Security 2009, and Norton 360 Version 3.0, internet users can protect themselves against Conficker. If customers are unable to reach Symantec’s web site, they may already be infected. In that case, they will need to get to a computer that is not infected, download their specialized Conficker removal tool and run it on the infected machine before installing new antivirus software.
The Conficker worm allows its creators to remotely install software on infected machines but no one is exactly sure what it will do. What is assumed is that the worm will be used to create a botnet that will be rented out to criminals who want to send SPAM, steal IDs and direct users to online scams and phishing sites.
The worm mostly spreads across networks. If it finds a vulnerable computer, it turns off the automatic backup service, deletes previous restore points, disables many security services, blocks access to a number of security web sites and opens infected machines to receive additional programs from the malware’s creator. The worm then tries to spread itself to other computers on the same network.
The Conficker Worm specifically targets all users of Windows XP and Window Vista. Mac and Linux users are not vulnerable to this software.
Computers that are not configured to receive patches and updates from Microsoft and who are not running an up to date antivirus product are most at risk. Users who do not have a genuine version of Windows from Microsoft are most at risk since pirated systems usually cannot get Microsoft updates and patches.
Advice to Stay Safe from the Downadup Worm:
• Run a good security suite (like Norton Internet Security 2009 and Norton 360 Version 3.0)
• Keep your computer updated with the latest patches. If you don’t know how to do this, have someone help you set your system to update itself.
• Don’t use ‘free’ security scans that pop up on many web sites. All too often these are fake, using scare tactics to try to get you to purchase their ‘full’ service. In many cases these are actually infecting you while they run. There is reason to believe that the creators of the Conficker worm are associated with some of these fake security products.
• Turn off the ‘autorun’ feature that will automatically run programs found on memory sticks and other USB devices.
• Be smart with your passwords. This includes:
o Change your passwords periodically
o Use complex passwords – no simple names or words, use special characters and numbers
o Using a separate, longer password for each site that has sensitive personal information or access to your bank accounts or credit cards
• Use a password management system such as Identity Safe (included in Norton Internet Security 2009 and Norton 360 Version 3.0) to track your passwords and to fill out forms automatically.
• Run Norton Internet Security 2009, Norton AntiVirus 2009 or Norton 360 Version 3.0. You can also try Norton Security Scan.
Check out Symantec on CBS’s 60 Minutes from last Sunday: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4901282n

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