Computer virus warning

[Brad C]

This came in from our IT department at SimplexGrinnell on Friday.
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Businesses worldwide are under attack from a highly infectious computer worm called conficker worm. SimplexGrinnell is not infected with this virus; however, we have proactively released a hot fix (through automatic updates), disabled the “autorun” feature on each computer and blocked any email and website with known conficker worm carriers.

Open shares is another source at risk for virus attack. An open share is a share that any user can create on their own hard drive to give someone else access to a file (ex. \\286PLOTTER\Spool). You can also hook up a USB drive to your machine and share it out like a network drive. If you have connected any external devices to your computer to share, please unplug them. If you have shares, you need to go to My Computer, Tools and Disconnect the shared drive you created.
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Our host for the MSTA web site maintains anti-virus protection for all elements of our web site. Forum membership is moderated instead of open so people wanting to join for malicious purposes will not get in.

[WxMan]

Good heads up Brad.

[SteveK]

Hey Brad,
I thought we could not "reply" to this forum?

(I guess you changed the locks?)

[Eddie]

I think my computer picked up something. I am getting pop up after pop up, even though I have them blocked... if i leave my computer for any length of time there will be 20+ and my computer will be locked up I have to power it down at the surge protector...any ideas?

[Larry D]

Update your virus software and run a scan, Eddie.

[stuntz]

Eddie, on a few occasions I have encountered programs the cause pop-ups that virus scanners sometimes have missed. You may also want to try running a scan w/ Adaware. I've had luck with that program sometimes. Also, if you have WinXP, you can download Windows Defender, which will sometimes detect and remove malware that cause pop-ups. Good luck on your endeavor.

[WxMan]

Besides a good free antivirus software like AVG I would also recommend SpyBot Defender 1.6 to stop malware.

[WxMan]

and of course always ensure those pesky windows critical updates are current. Or spend a ton of money and buy a mac.

[stuntz]

I use AVG myself...haven't had any real problems since I started using it about 3 yrs ago...and like you said it's free...

[Mike M]

At work we were one of the first to get hit with Conficker / Downadup.B back on 12/31. Its a nasty little virus.