Remember the Y2K virus threat back in the 2000s? This one is pretty close. But this time, it is not a virus, rather a malware attack that is believed to take thousands of people off their Internet connection on Monday, July 9th 2012.
The malware in question is believe to have been installed on thousands of computers two years well in advance and is set to trigger off on Monday. This is no silly Malware though, major software giants and even the FBI is out to deal with it and have opened websites dedicated to help people those who want to fight it off.
It’s a DNS Changer Malware, beware!
On November 8, the FBI, the NASA-OIG and Estonian police arrested several cyber criminals in “Operation Ghost Click”. The criminals operated under the company name “Rove Digital”, and distributed DNS changing viruses, variously known as TDSS, Alureon, TidServ and TDL4 viruses. You can read more about the arrest of the Rove Digital principals here, and in the FBI Press Release
According to the FBI, the number of computers that probably are infected is more than 277,000 worldwide, down from about 360,000 in April. Of those still infected, the FBI believes that about 64,000 are in the United States.
The problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of more than 570,000 infected computers around the world. When the FBI went in to take down the hackers late last year, agents realized that if they turned off the malicious servers being used to control the computers, all the victims would lose their Internet service.
According to Tom Grasso, an FBI supervisory special agent, many Internet providers are ready for the problem and have plans to try to help their customers. Some, such as Comcast, already have reached out.
How to check if you’re infected?The FBI has set up a website that will help you with all the details of the Malware.
Go to this website and check out if you have been infected. DCWG by FBI.
The malware in question is believe to have been installed on thousands of computers two years well in advance and is set to trigger off on Monday. This is no silly Malware though, major software giants and even the FBI is out to deal with it and have opened websites dedicated to help people those who want to fight it off.
It’s a DNS Changer Malware, beware!
On November 8, the FBI, the NASA-OIG and Estonian police arrested several cyber criminals in “Operation Ghost Click”. The criminals operated under the company name “Rove Digital”, and distributed DNS changing viruses, variously known as TDSS, Alureon, TidServ and TDL4 viruses. You can read more about the arrest of the Rove Digital principals here, and in the FBI Press Release
According to the FBI, the number of computers that probably are infected is more than 277,000 worldwide, down from about 360,000 in April. Of those still infected, the FBI believes that about 64,000 are in the United States.
The problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of more than 570,000 infected computers around the world. When the FBI went in to take down the hackers late last year, agents realized that if they turned off the malicious servers being used to control the computers, all the victims would lose their Internet service.
According to Tom Grasso, an FBI supervisory special agent, many Internet providers are ready for the problem and have plans to try to help their customers. Some, such as Comcast, already have reached out.
How to check if you’re infected?The FBI has set up a website that will help you with all the details of the Malware.
Go to this website and check out if you have been infected. DCWG by FBI.