FBI Warns, Internet Doomsday/DNS Changer - Check your computers before Monday July 9, 2012! – JenSocial: Social Web Directory and Ning Tips

Hi Everyone,

Most of you have probably read or heard about the malicious malware virus that infiltrated millions of computers last year, known as: "Internet Doomsday" or "DNS Changer". This is not a hoax or scare tactic. This is for real. This coming Monday, thousands of computers will likely lose access to the Internet if they are infected with this malware virus.

The virus was installed on millions of computers last year, by a ring of criminal scammers. The virus redirected Internet searches through DNS servers, and the scammers reportedly netted $14 million in stolen advertising revenue.

The FBI obtained a court order authorizing the Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) to deploy and maintain temporary clean DNS servers. This solution is temporary, providing additional time for victims to clean affected computers and restore their normal DNS settings. The clean DNS servers will be turned off on July 9, 2012, and computers still impacted by DNSChanger may lose Internet connectivity at that time. ~ source: http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911

According to multiple sources, the infected computers will not be able to regain access until the malware is removed.

You can likely find a fix after-the-fact, but better safe than sorry. And, if you lose access due to infection, it will be a pain to get the removal software. I found one link for a "removal tool". The process is fairly involved: http://www.dcwg.org/fix/

But, there should be easy fixes out there. I won't attempt to share fixes. FYI: Be careful of online claims for removal of malware. Those links can be as dangerous as the malware you may already have. Always use well known brand software and sites like Microsoft, McAfee, Trend Micro, Norton, etc...

For now, don't worry about removal, until you check for the malware. If your Virus protection has been up-to-date, you're probably fine.

Why Now?

This coming Monday, the FBI will shutdown the temporary servers that protected computers with the virus, and those infected computers will lose Internet access.

What do you need to do before Monday?

Be sure to read the article (link below), and check your computer for the malware virus.

#1 Read over this article:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/blackout-monday-dns-changer-kno...
#2. Go here and check your computer:

http://forms.fbi.gov/check-to-see-if-your-computer-is-using-rogue-DNS

Be sure to send this to family, colleagues and friends.

See snopes.com verdict here: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/dnschanger.asp

Another informative article on FBI.gov's site:

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911

Best Regards,

Jen

FBI Warns, Internet Doomsday/DNS Changer - Check your computers before Monday July 9, 2012!

Jay Frye