FBI warning of possible Internet problem in July

Update: I posted this in April, but the story is resurfacing again and alarming folks again. So here is my take once again:

This weekend, my local newspaper ran a story similar to this one at PC Magazine. It outlined (in usual newspaper sensationalism fashion) that “thousands of computer users could lose Internet in July”. I call it sensational because the headline alone (which I’m suspecting is all many people read) has two words that should calm people down a little, thousands and could. Currently, there are more than 1 billion Internet users world-wide…I wouldn’t be alarmed by thousands. Secondly, could is vague…and can easily be interchanged with the less alarming might.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk briefly about what this threat is and who it affects and what to do about it. Late last year, the FBI in conjunction with NASA and the Estonian police broke into a spyware ring and arrested all the major players. In doing so, they also took over their vast computer operation and discovered that any Internet user who had clicked on a rouge link in an email or visited an infected web site run by these shady characters AND didn’t get the original infection fixed, would be subject to Internet redirect problems come July 2012. Read the previous sentence again…it’s important and defines who is at risk.

• If you keep up with your security software updates and scans, keep your software updated (Windows, Java, Adobe Flash Player, etc), and practice smart Internet use, you will not be affected.
• If you are a regular reader of HelpMeRick.com and follow my security advice, you will not have a problem.
• If you have had a virus or spyware infection in the last year and have not had it cleaned properly, you might be affected.
• To find out if you are affected, you can visit this web site…if it comes up green,  you are good to go. If it comes up red, then you have a problem.
• An easy way to solve the problem is using the quick scanning TDSSKiller from Kaspersky (read the directions on the web site), then run MalwareBytes to follow up.

 

 

3 Responses to “FBI warning of possible Internet problem in July”

1. Richard Doran says:

   April 24, 2012 at 7:46 am

   Your common sense response to typical media hype is nicely stated, Rick!

   Reply
2. Anne says:

   April 24, 2012 at 9:52 am

   Thanx Rick,
   I so appreciate your expertise!

   Reply
3. Rick says:

   April 24, 2012 at 8:20 pm

   Rick,

   From one Rick to another Rick…

   Thank you for alerting us to this matter.

   Rick

   Reply