WARNING – BACKUP YOUR FILES

A computer virus that has been spreading around the world for months is set to come alive Wednesday.

Experts have struggled to tackle it, and they do not know who controls it or why it was created. But on Wednesday the virus, dubbed Conficker, will “call home” to its creator to seek new instructions. No one knows what will happen next.

“The biggest mystery about Conficker is why? What exactly is it that these bad guys are planning to do with it?” said Mikko Hypponen of the Finnish computer security company F-Secure.

I highly suggest that if you have any files or pictures you need backed up that you back them up TODAY before midnight.  Having no idea what, if anything will happen — I’m taking no chances and backing up ALL my files and disconnecting my backup drive.

Update: CBS report on virus (Video)

Run your Windows UPdate to get the latest updates for your Windows.

Run your Virus protection update to verify you have the latest virus protection (McAfee, Norton, Etc..)

You might also want to download these two software packages and run scans using them:

Superantispyware (free edition – bottom of page under Popular Links)

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (free edition – left side of page)

I guarantee NOTHING - just trying to assist my readers in anyway I can.  I know my workplace suggested I use these two sites to check for viruses on my computer.

UPDATE LAST: Apparently people are getting messages from UPS about a delivery problem – BEWARE it may be a virus (thanks Billie)

SIDE NOTES for Spyware software scans:

If your own virus protection (like Norton, McAfee) pops up with found viruses and wants to restart – say NO for now.  Let the spyware scan finish first, delete any that are found (unless it pertains to YOUR virus protection-virus protection name is included in file), close the scan, then do a restart.

GOOD LUCK!