How to Find, Kill the Conficker Worm

Millions of PCs have been infected with the Conficker worm, and word has it the program may cause mischief tomorrow—April Fool’s Day. But routing it out needn’t be difficult, the AP reports. Here’s how:

• The worm blocks access to Microsoft and antivirus vendor sites, which offer tools to fight it. Check if you can visit these Web pages—if not, your machine may be infected.

• A list of free removal tools is available from the Homeland Security department or Conficker Working Group (links below).
• Ask a friend to download one of the tools from Microsoft or antivirus vendors like Symantec, McAfee, or F-Secure. Then have the friend email the tool to you.
• The removal tool will scan your system and wipe the worm. But be warned: Conficker can block such tools if they have the word “Conficker” in the name. If yours does, rename it.

(More Conficker stories.)