Insight Communications, in working with various Internet security groups, believes that a virus known as the Conficker Worm could receive an update instruction on or about April 1, 2009 and could cause harm or trigger some other unknown action on an infected computer.

The precise action for the worm is unknown at this time, and it is important to understand that the Conficker worm could be triggered to take action at any time, not just April 1, 2009. The best protection for customers from this and all other viruses is to ensure that all necessary security updates are installed on their computer and that they maintain and use up-to-date anti-virus software.

Conficker is a virus or “worm” that is used to infect an unprotected Microsoft computer. It takes advantage of a known vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Server Service, which would allow someone else to access programs or code on your computer remotely.

For example, this would make it possible for someone else to send email from your computer without your knowledge or permission.

Conficker was first detected in October 2008, and many PC users may be infected without realizing it.

Insight Communications and Computer Associates continues to offer the CA Internet Security Suite, a personal Internet security service that provides comprehensive protection against viruses, hackers, identity theft, spyware, spam, offensive websites, and other online threats that can jeopardize your privacy, your data, and your PC’s performance.

Here are some items to help you with keeping your computer safe:

• Keep your Firewall Turned On - Please click Here for information on how to turn on or turn off the CA Personal Firewall.
• Use Updated Anti-Virus software - To check if CA Anti-Virus real-time monitoring is enabled, please click Here.
• Use Updated Anti-Spyware software - To confirm if the CA Anti-Spyware real-time monitor is running click Here - To check if CA Anti-Spyware is up-to-date with the latest signatures, please click Here.
• Keep your Operating System up-to-date - To learn how to keep your PC updated with the latest Windows updates, please click Here.
• Additionally there are more advanced measures that can be taken to ensure your system security. To know more about them, click Here.

The above steps should help you keep your PC secure from malicious software.

More information on this offering can be located at:
http://help.rr.com/HMSFaqs/e_CAISS.aspx

Microsoft published a fix for this in October 2008. However, unpatched machines are at risk. Microsoft also published removal steps at:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx#EMD

Computer Associates also has information on the worm at:
http://www.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=75911

McAfee has developed a utility that will assess for the presence of the Conficker worm and identify which systems are already infected. You can download the McAfee Conficker Detection Tool for Conficker here: http://www.mcafee.com/us/enterprise/confickertest.html

Additional resources include:
• http://www.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?id=75911

• http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/worms/conficker.mspx

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker

• http://mtc.sri.com/Conficker/