The Conficker Worm: April Fools or Fowl?
Computer Worm Could Receive New Instructions On April 1
60 Minutes: The Internet is infected. Malicious computer hackers have been creating more and more weapons that they plant on the Internet. They call their weapons viruses and worms — they’re creepy, crawly toxic software that contaminate our computers without our ever knowing it. You can be infected by simply visiting your favorite Web site, or just by leaving your computer on, overnight while you’re asleep.
And the problem is growing, exponentially. Last year the number of infections tripled. And an entire industry of computer security professionals is in a race to keep the hackers from their goal, which is usually to steal your money.
One of the most dangerous threats ever, a computer worm known as “Conficker,” is spreading through the Internet right now. By some estimates, 10 million computers have been infected worldwide.
