Internet Doomsday 03/08/12
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- dbloc
Q. Someone mentioned that the FBI could take down the Internet on Mar. 8. Is that the entire Internet? How did the FBI get that kind of power? Is my computer safe? I'm so confused! Please explain it for me.
A. When you ask it that way, I don't blame you for being concerned. I think you may see the problem as larger than it really is, however.
I don't blame you for that either, given some of the coverage. Without knowing the background on what is happening and why, it does seem very sinister and doomsday-worthy.
I'm going to explain what is happening. But first, let me remind you that the Internet was originally designed to survive a nuclear holocaust. Is this a bigger threat than that?
The problem is that some computers won't be able to connect to the Internet. It isn't going down. And even though it always makes a good plot, the FBI isn't the bad guy in this.
It's actually all tied to malware named DNSChanger Trojan.
DNSChanger's job is to infect a computer and change the computer's DNS settings. It's very accurately named, as you can see.
Why is that a problem? Well, the DNS, or Domain Name Server system, is a critical part of how the Internet works.
A DNS server turns domain names, such as www.komando.com, into IP addresses that computers use to contact websites. Kim Kommando site's IP address, for example, is 66.210.246.177; good luck remembering that!
In other words, a DNS server is like your cellphone's address book. The address book has the names and phone numbers of all your friends and family. You just pick the name you want and the phone dials the number.
Normally, your computer connects to your Internet service provider's DNS servers. DNSChanger, however, modifies your computer's DNS settings to use hacker-run DNS servers.
The hacker-run servers send you to malicious websites filled with viruses and spam, or substitute legitimate site ads with malicious ads. Imagine someone got into your phone's address book and changed all the numbers to 900 numbers. The names in the address book are the same, but the phone numbers are all wrong. Yikes!
Back in November, after a two-year investigation, the FBI arrested a major group of hackers involved in this DNSChanger scheme and confiscated its servers. The FBI replaced the malicious DNS servers with temporary, clean DNS servers.
The idea was that this would keep infected computers safe while the users removed DNSChanger. Unfortunately, few people bothered to clean their computers.
It's estimated that 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies still have computers with DNSChanger installed. That doesn't count all the personal computers that still have it, which is estimated at 500,000. That actually isn't that much by malware standards, but it's still significant.
Currently, the FBI is scheduled to shut down the temporary DNS servers on Mar. 8. That's when the FBI's court order for the operation expires. There is a chance, however, that it might receive an extension.
When those DNS servers shut down, all the computers and websites still using them will be knocked off the Internet. That might include your computer or sites that you visit.
What can you do? Well, you can make sure your computer doesn't have DNSChanger installed.
Pay a visit to http://dns-ok.us. This site will indicate if your computer is looking up websites correctly. If it shows green, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
If it's red, or if your computer loses its Internet connection on the 8th, you'll need to grab some security software and clean your computer. (Click the link and get everything you need FREE from my security center.)
Here's the bad news: DNSChanger might prevent you from visiting security software websites. It will also complicate things if your Internet connection is down.
If that happens, download the security programs on another computer and then transfer via flash drive. In extreme cases, you might need a last-ditch solution like Microsoft Security Sweeper.
Once the virus is gone, your computer should revert to the original DNS settings. If it doesn't, you'll need to contact your Internet Service Provider to learn what DNS settings you should be using.
Understanding DNS can help improve your computing experience. Check out these great DNS ideas.
You don't have to use your ISP's DNS servers. This DNS service makes your browsing faster and safer for the whole family.
Your computer stores common DNS information to speed up browsing. Edit this information for improved speed and security.
Want to shop around for a faster DNS service? This program helps you find the fastest DNS server available.
- imakethepictures0
"Greenage" over here.
- GeorgesII0
ahahaha
ass family
ahahaha
