Contrary to what some have suggested, the worm did, in fact, do what it was expected to do -- it activated, giving the worm-masters full administrator-level control over some five million infected PCs, and making itself much more difficult to detect and fight. The worm generates URLs by which the master computer communicates with infected machines, constantly staying ahead of the efforts of security experts to shut them down. Beginning yesterday, the botnet began communicating over 50,000 domain names in 116 countries -- a dramatic increase over the 250 URLs used by previous versions of the the worm.
Experts expect that the worm is going to re-awaken at some time in the future and possibly actually do something. In the mean time, you ma want to get rid of it if is on your system.
If you run Windows, the best way to get rid of the computer is to get a Mac or a Linux computer. There are probably other ways to do this but I don't really care. If you are running Linux, this worm can't directly affect you. But if you have a network with some windows computers on it, from the Linux perspective, you can do this to deal with the worm on your network.
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Thankfully, I run Linux.
However, I know it's not a reasonable solution for everyone to switch, especially since, beyond my comprehension, some people actually like Windows.
So whatever you decide to do, good luck. :D
Posted by: Les | April 4, 2009 9:02 PM
Yeah I went and gave Ubuntu another try. Put it on a separate disk just to make sure it didn't mess with my windows install.
Grub corrupted my windows MBR anyway. Got it fixed but my sound card still will not work with Ubuntu. I updated the system and Gnome crashed on reboot dumping me at text login prompt. I can log in but gnome is dead. It has expired, it is no more. It is a late Gnome.
I will have to go through and install each update package individually to see what is crashing me. Thats no problem. Maybe even fun to figure what is happening.
But the problem with grub corrupting the MBR on the other disk bothers me. Thats Microsoft like behavior.
Posted by: ppnl | April 4, 2009 9:16 PM
Wow, that may be the snottiest advice I've ever heard from a Linux snob, and that's saying a lot.
(I've admined *n*x boxes for 17 years, and I run Windows. Some of us require specialized scientific software that is not available for Linux (or Mac). XP is a damn solid platform, and it's entirely possible to run it securely; and, raving aside, Linux is still not ready for the non-admin user.)
Anyway, Windows users can start with this handy eye chart to see whether they're infected.
Posted by: pshaw | April 4, 2009 9:18 PM
Some of us would move to Linux if not for certain restrictions, i.e. Windows software that won't run even trough WiNE.
Which software is the reason that I have this computer in the first place.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | April 4, 2009 9:19 PM
Wow, that may be the snottiest advice I've ever heard from a Linux snob, and that's saying a lot.
You obviously don't read my blog on a regular basis.
Mike: You went back to using Windows? Why? What software are you using that requires Windows?
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 4, 2009 9:28 PM
I wouldn't worry to much about Conflicker doing any "destroy the internet" type stuff. As a friend of mine who's a grad student studying computer security put it, Conflicker was very likely to have been written to make money, and "[t]here's no money in melting the Internet or indiscriminately destroying Windows installations." It'll likely end up being used to send spam and other such "quiet" activities.
Posted by: Courtney | April 4, 2009 9:59 PM
I bet it's making a decent amount of money for the anti-virus firms.Posted by: XD | April 5, 2009 6:59 AM
Fixed the Python reference for you !
As to Ubuntu "dumping" you at a text login,there's probably something wrong with the graphics card recognition or X-server startup,are you running a stable or alpha/beta version of Ubuntu?
It is now so stable generally that it will just install without the smallest of hitches on almost any hardware,I put 9.04 on my new Dell laptop throwing out the ludicrous Vista on the day it was delivered,and it recognized graphics,wireless,everything,and just runs smoothly.
The problem you describe is unusual.
Posted by: clinteas | April 5, 2009 7:24 AM
But the problem with grub corrupting the MBR on the other disk bothers me. Thats Microsoft like behavior.
My advice to everyone who is not a geek: Don't dual boot, don't rely on grub. Messing with grub is for experts. If you want to play around with Linux, just make yourself a Linux computer. Linux has a better chance of being second fiddle and working than Windows does, but for the most part you don't want to do this.
clinteas is correct about why you are dumped. Unlike Windows, the problem will not be found in some obscure place. If the x-server is crapping out, it is the xorg.config that is not working for you on this system. Expend your effort messing with that.
Also, regarding stability, again clinteas is right. I've been re-installing Linux on the same exact hardware for years, and I've gone from some glitches now and then to nothing goes wrong. Obviously, the Debian and Ubuntu installation has received a great deal of focus in development.
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 5, 2009 9:04 AM
Admittedly, I did research hardware compatibility before I bought it.
Posted by: XD | April 5, 2009 9:56 AM
Admittedly, I did research hardware compatibility before I bought it.
Well, it's not like that's cheating or something....
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 5, 2009 9:58 AM
I have no interest in putting the time in to build and maintain my own operating system, and Apple has repeatedly made it abundantly clear that they despise me for even existing. So fuck them, and fuck you, and fuck your operating system for snobbish assholes.
Posted by: stogoe | April 5, 2009 1:04 PM
So, stogoe, Microsoft has cradled you in her gentle bosom, always providing exactly what you need without work or pain? I'm not buying it. "Better the devil I know" is a valid argument sometimes, but it's a lousy basis for hostility toward anyone who chooses otherwise and is happy about it.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | April 5, 2009 1:41 PM
The kids' computers are still on Ubuntu and Kubuntu (which is a freakin' cool distro!) bur the laptop must stay on Windows because it is paid for by Mahoney's campaign. The MN campaign finance software is not portable to Linux or Mac because of the connection to the servers. It's frustrating.
But, absent that I would have Ubuntu or a version thereof, on all my computers.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | April 5, 2009 1:55 PM
It is well known that Steve Ballmer trolls the blogs under the pseudonym "stogoe" ...
Posted by: Andrew | April 5, 2009 1:56 PM
Nice Hair, stogoe.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | April 5, 2009 5:01 PM
Mike: Right, I forgot about that one issue. Have you tried a virtual machine? (not WINE) I've neer messed with such a thing, but it might be fun. You would still need to have a real copy of Windows, of course.
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 5, 2009 6:06 PM
i would just like to say that i welcome our new Conflicker overlords
Posted by: christopher guerra | April 5, 2009 6:38 PM
Perhaps not something to be proud of: 6 weeks ago, installed Ubuntu as a 2nd operating system. Respect: It recognized my ADSL modem, hardware, etc.
But, simple operations, like Cntrl-C, seem to take seconds, instead of milliseconds. Office stuff and internet work fine, even my ancient, but good quality CCD Philips Vesta web cam was recognized! But, capturing images required another program. It seemed to have been installed after download, but was impossible to find. So, after a month of 'real' work, I wanted to access the internet with Ubuntu again, although I did not like the fonts displayed.
Of course I forgot to write down my user name and password, so the install has become completely useless.
This story might not induce respect, but if Linux ever wants to become a 'player', 'digi-morons' like me have to be put into consideration!
Posted by: Bob | April 6, 2009 12:22 PM
Bob, your experience is extraordinary, and is easily matched by similar or worse horror stories of people doing fresh installs of Windows.
I recommend writing down user name and password on a postit and keeping it stuck to your monitor... :)
Posted by: Greg Laden | April 6, 2009 12:56 PM