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Whether you are usually trusing and reassured that your  Anti-spyware, anti-virus software is top notch and doing it’s job perfectly or dilligent in updating and backing up files it’s time to check your system.  This according to experts, if it is a real threat, would be devasting world wide on the corporate network level.           

Recent news reports state this is not your run-of-the-mill virus and has the potential to be the “Big Daddy” of them all.  The ‘worm” is defferent in that it “buries” itself in your operating system. It doesn’t mess with the small potato files.  It goes straight to the heart of your computer. 

First, it will slow down emmensely, a symptom of most viruses.  That’s about where the similarities end.  The “worm” in fact, has the capability to duplicate; procreate, if you will, right there in your desktop.  What happens next is nothing short of traumatic.  Once the “worm” is in control of your operating system, you’ll experience serious problems accessing the internet and loading any page or link. Finally, it actually turns off your anti-virus, anti-spyware program!  Once “buried” inside your operating system, it’s said to lie dormant until April 1st, when it will launch destruction of global proportions. 

Should you find your PC is indeed infected, the best thing to do is simply, unplug it and march it down to your best PC service man. A couple words of caution, however. As this is, again, not your regular virus infection, DO NOT ATTEMPT to remove it yourself with an over-the-counter “Spyware Removal Tool, unless you are a professional yourself.  Also, make sure your PC technician is aware of the ”worm” and is not using a similar product himself! It must be current to March, 2009.  Otherwise it’s bound to clean everything else and just put a nice shine on the “worm” itself!

Some things to do now to prevent infection by the Conficker Worm:

• First-Immediately back up your files
• Second-Go straight to the Microsoft website and download all Security updates through this week.                 (2 weeks ago is not sufficient)
• Third-Verify your anti-spyware software is the most current version avaiable.
• Fourth-Run a manual scan of your systems.  Don’t wait for your scheduled check up date.

Should your PC become infected regardless of your best efforts, the recommendations most suggested is a complete cleaning of the hardware and re-formatting.  Then maybe it’s just time for a new computer.  Since there is no quick, cheap fix, get your advice from a knowledgeable and trusted expert.

As to the original question, “Is this simply an April Fool’s hoax in really poor taste, or the real deal?”

In these economic times, whether it’s meant to be financially devasting on a coporate level or on an individual one, is irrelevant. We simply can’t afford to take the chance …can we?