How to remove the Conficker worm?
Conficker – It’s lurking in millions of PCs around the world. It’s incredibly sophisticated and resilient, with built-in p2p and digital code-signing technology. It revels in killing security software. On April 1, the Conficker worm will activate. Giz explains.
Conficker (aka Downadup), that began towards the end of last year as just another worm with no big intentions, has grown by leaps and bounds that security experts find it almost impossible to destroy it now. It disables antivirus updates and Windows updates as well.
If you’re infected, you’re in big trouble because the worm has been programmed to get instructions from a server exactly on April 1. Anything could happen as the New York Times puts it:
Speculation about Conficker’s purpose ranges from the benign — an April Fool’s Day prank — to far darker notions. One likely possibility is that the program will be used in the “rent-a-computer-crook” business.
So is there a way out? Can you remove the Conficker worm safely from your computer? Yes, you can get rid of it if you’ve patched Windows with security updates. Keep your fingers crossed, and try these two methods to remove the Conficker worm from your computer:
Remove Conficker using the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
- Download Microsoft’s malicious software removal tool from here
- Disconnect from the internet
- Install and run the program to try and remove the Conficker worm
Remove Conficker using Symantec’s Removal Tools
- Download the W32.Downadup removal tool by Symantec from here
- Disable System Restore and disconnect from the internet
- Run that tool and click ‘Start’ to begin the process of scanning and removing the Conficker worm (if found).
- After the tool does its job, restart your computer and run the scan again using the same tool to check if the worm has gone
Symantec also recommends you to review details of W32.Downadup.B and W32.Downadup!autorun. Symantec’s Conficker removal tool also tells you to install a patch for MS 08-067 vulnerability if it hasn’t been installed yet.
I’m not sure if these two tools can aid in the removal of the Conficker worm completely. Educate me in the comments if you’ve got any information.
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How To Remove Conficker Worm?
27 Mar 09 at 10:09 am
[...] posted about the Conficker worm recently and also gave you instructions on how to go about removing the Conficker Worm using apps like Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool and Symantec’s Conficker [...]
Stinger Conficker Removal Tool
28 Mar 09 at 8:11 am
Hi,
Good article. Sophos’ Conficker removal tool can detect and remove all variants of the worm/virus.
As long as people run these tools it should stop any serious outbreak.
James
James
30 Mar 09 at 2:42 pm
I have heard that the main problem is people infected aren’t able to access these tools or other security websites so they have no way to remove or know they are infected without the help of someone with an uninfected computer.
Conficker WOrm
1 Apr 09 at 7:59 pm
[...] the age of the Conficker worm and digital nightmares, it becomes a necessity to protect your PC from the biggest cyber [...]
Killer Links #5
11 Apr 09 at 9:03 pm
the guy two comments above had it right.
you dickheads can’t obviously fathom that the worm blocks access to a LARGE amount of websites and servers known to contain anti-malware and anti-virus programs and solutions.
start hosting these programs somewhere else, leave a massive sign for useless computer users to go there and you’ll get rid of the damn worm.
grrrrr
25 Sep 09 at 6:36 am