Is your computer infected?

Is your computer infected? Here's a fix...

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

6ef9e7852e20620b0d0f6a706700478e According to reports hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide may have been infected by hackers in an online advertising scam and may lose their ability to connect to the Internet on July 9.

Here's how the FBI says you can check your computer: Go to http://www.dcwg.org

When on the page click on "Detect" in the upper left corner, or on the Green Button next to it.

You will be directed to a new page. Pick your language from the list and click on the link next to it.

If your computer is not infected, you will see a green logo with the message: "DNS Resolution(equals)Green. Your computer appears to be looking up IP addresses correctly!"

If you see that message, you don't need to do anything more.

If you see a message with a red logo saying your computer appears to be infected, you will be directed to a new page. You will be directed to websites that will provide anti-virus tools that cybersecurity experts have identified as being effective in removing the malware.

The website also provides information on the case and the malware.

I am not sure how this advertising scam has been operating but the general way that people get any of this problem onto their computers is because they just are too gullible and click on links in emails or, otherwise, fall for the false message that say things like “Microsoft has detected a problem with your computer. To rectify this click here” or other such message that pop up when they browse websites.

Those message are not legitimate and should be ignored. You click on any such links at your peril but it would appear that those warnings can be issued again and again and still people will not heed them.

I would suggest that anyone who is concerned does visit the site and do the check and, if necessary, get their system cleaned. Also, do read the articles on the subject. It may enable you to pick up some safe habits as to your use of the Internet.

© 2012