Conficker Discussion Part 2 – Even more stuff to talk about

We’ve heard in the[intlink id=”3214″ type=”post”] coming days there will be an update for the Conficker.C Worm[/intlink] and Microsoft has Released even more information about it: For Instance:
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Win32/Conficker.C is a worm that infects other computers across a network by exploiting a vulnerability in the Windows Server service (SVCHOST.EXE). If the vulnerability is successfully exploited, it could allow remote code execution when file sharing is enabled. It may also spread via removable drives and weak administrator passwords. It disables several important system services and security products.(was reported to Microsoft on February 20, 2009.)

Win32/Conficker.D is a variant of Win32/Conficker. Conficker.D infects the local computer, terminates services, blocks access to numerous security related Web sites and downloads arbitrary code. Conficker.D can relay command instructions to other Conficker.D infected computers via built-in peer-to-peer (P2P) communication. This variant does not spread to removable drives or shared folders across a network (as with previous variants). Conficker.D is installed by previous variants of Win32/Conficker. (was reported to Microsoft on March 4, 2009.)

As you can tell, this seems to be two different Variants starting to emerge.  Now let’s go a little bit more deeper shall we.  According to US-CERT(United States – Computer Emergency Readiness Team) , They claim that this is Widespread infection and have posted about it on there website TA09-088A.

My one questions is Why is the US getting ready for this Conlicker worm, are they worried that what happened to the Parliament will happen to some branch of the White House.  This seems to be an even more hype building over this worm.  Everyone will tell you the same thing, they are not sure what will happen on April 1, 2009.  I think it will be a normal day and all because with all news about the Conficker worm, the person who wrote this won’t want the light shined on them before they get there foot hold in systems.  So you will most likely not notice anything special on April Fools day due the awareness of the worm.

But don’t forget to update your [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]Anti-virus software[/intlink] and also might be time to add a good [intlink id=”2205″ type=”page”]free firewall to help protect yourself[/intlink] from this worm.

What will happen on April 1? Conficker discussion!

I saw that F-secure has posted what a Question and Answer on the Conficker Worm.  I wanted to talk about this a little myself:

Q: I heard something really bad is going to happen on the Internet on April 1st! Will it?
A: No, not really.

Q: Seriously, the Conficker worm is going to do something bad on April 1st, right?
A: The Conficker aka Downadup worm is going to change it’s operation a bit, but that’s unlikely to cause anything visible on April 1st.

[Via F-secure Website]

[ad#cricket-right-ez]I am like everyone else, I really don’t know what will happen it is always going t to be media exposure when it comes to Worms, Viruses, or Trojans.  Virus Writers whoever “THEY” are, will always want to update there infected systems to keep the virus(Also worms, and Trojans) on peoples systems.   This is the way of security firms will always have to predict them, keep up with them, or just follow them.  This will never  change because as virus writers want to find even more ways to infect systems that is the necessity of Anti-virus Software.

I don’t know what will happen on April 1, you most likely will be fine if not you won’t know it until you try to update your system or update your anti-virus software.  One way you can find out if your infected is by trying to serf to security vendors like F-secure, Norton, and Kasperky.  If you Can’t get to those sites then you most likely have a Virus or Worm, and it could be this worm!!

  1. Make the worm harder to detect — This is a common practice they want to be able to hide the worm for as long a possible.  So they will always tweak it to make it that much hard to detect and remove.
  2. Make the Worm easier to infect systems —  This is another common practice, because without having systems there is no need for a Command and Control server.  The worm could do things such as Denial of Service, Or send out spam, or steal sensitive information.  This is the nature of why people make viruses, Trojans, or Worms.
  3. Easily update the virus software — as with any software the virus writers will come up with easier ways of updating the software, because the security will do whatever they can to prevent the update.  This is also the nature of why there will always be updating of the code.  They will put in more ways to keep the virus, worm or Trojan from being blocked.   Like the Conflicker has some Peer to Peer functionality, so if one company blocks the update another way it could get the update is Peer to Peer.  So you can’t block it very easily.

So what will happen April 1?  Who knows it could be a normal day, or it could be the biggest [intlink id=”3208″ type=”post”]April Fools joke[/intlink] ever.  That is why I put that in my last blog post.  With so much Media Frenzy the security firms don’t know what the Worm will do when it updates, all they can do is wait.   So let’s take a deep breath and relax, there’s nothing we can do just yet!!