Posted by quinn
on April 12, 2009, 12:50 pm
71.242.96.168
Be very careful, everyone.
The Conficker virus has been found active at the University of Utah where it has infected 700 computers. Make sure your virus software is up-to-date. If you don't have it make sure you go to a reliable source for it as there are many con artists selling fraudulent "fixes" on the 'net.
Here is Microsoft's site on the virus:
Protect yourself from the Conficker computer worm
MACcies: If you run a Windows or Windows compatible environment (Bootcamp, Crossover, Virtual Machines, Parallels and VMware, etc.) on a MAC you could also be hit so take precautions. If you do not run Windows you are safe.
MAC Conficker information
Conficker worm hits University of Utah computers
SALT LAKE CITY - April 12, 2009
University of Utah officials say a computer virus has infected more than 700 campus computers, including those at the school's three hospitals.
University health sciences spokesman Chris Nelson said the outbreak of the Conficker worm, which can slow computers and steal personal information, was first detected Thursday. By Friday, the virus had infiltrated computers at the hospitals, medical school, and colleges of nursing, pharmacy and health.
Nelson says patient data and medical records have not been compromised.
"That's secured in a much deeper way because of the implications," he said.
Nelson said the virus is mainly attacking personal computers and could be siphoning login and password data, credit card numbers and banking information.
Directions for purging the virus from personal computers and equipment like thumb drives, digital cameras and smart phones has been distributed to staff and students.
Information technology staff shut of Internet access for up to six hours at some campus locations Friday so they could isolate the virus. They were expected to work through the weekend to eradicate it from the system.
Mindy Tueller of the university's office of information technology said all faculty and students should take steps to make sure they are protected. The virus does not infect Macs.
"It can do a lot of bad things," Tueller said. "Every university member should be concerned about this if they're using Windows-based devices."
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