The Conficker/Downadup
worm was first tracked in
November 2008 (Win32/Conficker.A) and has infected thousands of business
networks and millions of PCs since that time. Conficker uses advanced
malware
techniques to make it difficult to protect computers. Conficker
primarily prevents users from installing Windows and
antivirus software
updates. The worm also has the capability to launch a second stage attack that
downloads code that has the possibility to be devastating, such as
rogue
anti-virus software. In 2009, a variant of the worm Conficker.C was also
commonly called the April Fools' computer worm.
See also
Rogue Anti-Virus Software Explained in the
Did You Know...?
section of Webopedia.