Information Technology
Technology Alert
Conficker or Downadup Windows Worm
The vulnerability of this “worm” was blocked in October 2008 by a patch applied by Information Technology to all Pepperdine employee Windows computers that are logged on to the Pepperdine network.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/technology/internet/23worm.html
All personally-owned Windows computers can stay patched and protected using the following Microsoft Update facility.
http://services.pepperdine.edu/it/security/computersandinternet/msupdate.htm
Our anti-virus vendor also has patterns to detect this malware.
Any personal computer exhibiting symptoms of this worm should get blocked off our network; but so far we haven't seen widespread issues, due to the work described in the first paragraph.
Remember, the #1 threat to computer security (after theft) is being tricked into clicking on an evil link in an e-mail or Web site. Therefore, don't open unexpected e-mail and consider before clicking "fun" links or installing "fun" programs.
We appreciate your concern about computer security!
