Remove Conficker Worm | W32.Downadup - How to

Conficker Worm (also known as Conficker.b, W32.Downadup) is a worm that locks users out of system directories, and blocks your access to security websites and applications, such as Windows Automatic Update Service, Windows Security Center Service, Windows Defender Service (WinDefend), Windows Vista TCP/IP auto-tuning, and more. To further hide its presence in your computer, Conficker Worm deletes any System Restore points you’ve created.

The tenacious Conficker worm which has wriggled its way onto machines worldwide is set to evolve on April Fool's Day, becoming harder to exterminate but not expected to wreak havoc.

UPDATES:
* Mar 31 2009 - Conficker Worm Infection - What to do

History of Conficker / Downadup worm

The Conficker computer worm, also known as Downup, Downandup and Kido first surfaced in 2008 but as of January 17, IBN Live reports that 6.5 million computers have already been infected by this virus. The Register also reports that 3 in 10 windows PC are vulnerable to Conficker attacks.

Overview of Conficker worm

• A vicious worm, named Conficker, has took down computer system of Ministry of Health of the USA for more than a fortnight. Antivirus providers has already issued warnings about the Conficker worm a.k.a Downandup a.k.a Kido.
• Conficker infects Windows OS computers via the internet or USB drives. Once it has installed itself in a computer, the Conficker worm connects to a malicious server to ‘fetch’ malicious softwares like trojans and backdoors.
• As of early January 2009, around 3 million computers have been intruded by the Conficker worm. A security software company has put the current figure to about 9 million.
• Users of Windows XP and prior to it should be very aware of Conficker as their operating system are very risky to get infected. Microsoft has already issued a patch to be installed at their Windows Update website.
• There are some sypmtoms to know if your PC is infected by Conficker. For example, Conficker runs a HTTP server by opening a random port so that a copy of it can be downloaded by target systems.

Downadup / Conficker infection symptoms

When the Downadup or Conficker worm is executed in a PC, win 32 Downadup virus disables systems such as the Windows Automatic Update, Windows Security Center, Windows Defender and Windows Error Reporting. The Downadup worm also gathers personal information and installs malware into the infected computer. The Downadup worm also attaches to several windows processes including svchost.exe, explorer.exe and services.exe.

If your computer is infected with this worm, you may not experience any symptoms, or you may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Account lockout policies are being tripped.
• Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Windows Defender, and Error Reporting Services are disabled.
• Domain controllers respond slowly to client requests.
• The network is congested.
• Various security-related Web sites cannot be accessed.

Conficker Worm wants to remain undetected, as Conficker Worm downloads more malware onto your computer, contacts ISPs to get directions from a hacker, and places your computer in the Conficker Worm botnet.

Unless your PC becoming part of a hacker’s network sounds like fun, let me show you how to get rid of Conficker Worm for free.

Systems affected by Conficker worm

Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista

Removing Conficker worm

Several Win32 Conficker removal tools are now available but because the Conficker worm also spreads through portable storage devices such as USB drives, disabling your PC’s autorun feature for external media is recommended. Here is how to remove Conficker with a Conficker remover:

Download downadup/conficker remover

The above Conficker remove link downloads the Symantec W32.Downadup Removal Tool. You can also use the F-SECURE Malware Removal Tool and Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal tool.

You can also read the following articles to learn more how you can protect your PC from Conficker virus, repair Conficker virus damage and how you can manually remove Conficker:

Virus alert about the Win32/Conficker.B worm

Protecting Against the Rampant Conficker Worm

For more information about Win32/Conficker.b, visit the following Microsoft Malware Protection Center Web page: http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32/Conficker

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