The web is buzzing with stories about Conficker. It has a definite launch date, it could be affecting millions of computers, and no one knows what it will do - in other words, it's a godsend for anti-virus companies and the media. (And asshats like the ones who set up some "Conficker removal" scam sites.)
Most people are too worried about the global economic meltdown to pay attention to a little thing like computer viruses, and they'd be right. Investigations have shown that most of the infested computers are in China (25%), Brazil, Russia, and India (suck it, Bangalore!). Even if your computer is infected, it's relatively easy to detect (such as with the free cleaning tool at www.f-secure.com - if you can't reach the site, you're infected!) and cure (install the relevant Microsoft security patch, which most home users have already done automatically).
While the smart money says nothing much will happen on April 1st, the idea of up to 9 million computers all running the same unknown program at once is an exciting one. Will the program create a malevolent AI that will take over our entire computer infrastructure and declare war on humanity? Will it seize control of the Hadron Large Collider and open a gateway granting an extra-dimensional army access to our world? Will it do anything besides steal our PayPal passwords and redirect us to porn sites?
A fella can dream.
Sources:
T-minus two days...Ready or not, here comes Conficker
Homeland Security Keeps Tabs On Conficker Worm
The "no bull" guide to Conficker
The Conficker Work Group FAQ Page
