Removing the Conficker/W32.Downadup worm from your computer and protecting against other malware
Many people are not automatically patching their Windows machines for several reasons. One of the main reasons is that if you got a copy of Windows from your friend, Microsoft is now checking every license. After you run Windows Updates and patch your computer, you may get a message from Microsoft saying your computer is not running Genuine Windows, and a little logo will stay at the bottom of your desktop. It could also completely disable you from running windows, pretty sneaky and clever. If you do have a legitimate copy of Windows (one that you actually purchased and have the retail box from Microsoft or one that came pre-installed on your Dell, HP, Compaq, or other brand name computer). If you purchased a clone computer from a local computer retailer, or online, your copy of windows might be counterfeit but as long as you bought from a reputable name like Dell you will have an authentic copy of Windows, complete with a sticker on the top of your computer that has the license key for your copy of Windows… And then you can setup automatic updates.
Patch for THIS problem only to prevent future infections
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS08-067.mspx
Removal Tool (FREE) (run this just to test/make sure you don’t have it, even if you think you’re safe):
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-011316-0247-99
Also, I strongly recommend everyone download these 2 programs, and run them weekly (or daily if you’re paranoid) on your computer to check for all traces of spyware/malware. Your anti-virus programs DO NOT PROTECT YOU, don’t even think you’re safe with them:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (FREE):
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button
Spybot Search and Destroy (FREE):
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html
Both have paid versions you can buy but the free one works just fine.
Make sure when you run them if they tell you they need to run again on reboot to remove a virus they found, that you say yes, and then when your computer reboots, it will run first thing and remove it.
Finally, last but not least…
Internet Explorer is the world’s most unsafe web browser. 90% of the security vulnerabilities on the internet exist because IE is not safe, and it’s easy for them to secretly slip their way through your computer. Most people are switching to Firefox. Firefox is a free, open-source web browser developed by a group of people that used to develop the Netscape web browser many moons ago. Firefox is superior to Internet Explorer in that they have thousands of free ad-ons for your browser to enhance your browsing experience, I’ll talk about those ad-ons in a future write up. For now, go to:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ and download Firefox. They have it for both a Mac and a PC, as well as linux and many other platforms.