The FBI statement, which includes advice on how to check for and remove the malware, can be found on its website. Reports around the web suggest that while the FBI originally set up a ‘safety net’ to prevent the impact of the malware, they’ve now shut down this system. Infected machines are therefore at risk.
'Internet blackout' set for 9 July: FBI to 'pull plug' on 350,000 virus-infected machines - cutting off Web for users in U.S. and UK.Machines infected with virus being 'kept alive' by FBI.
Operation costing so much FBI will 'pull plug' on 9 July
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NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Hundreds of thousands of Internet users whose computers are infected with a particularly nasty virus will be unable to access the Web starting on Monday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation will shut down Internet servers that it temporarily set up to support those affected by malicious software, called DNSChanger. Turning off those servers will knock all those still infected offline. Over the past five years, a group of six Estonian cybercriminals infected about 4 million computers around the world with DNSChanger. The malware redirected infected users’ Web searches to spoofed sites with malicious advertisements.
“For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer.
Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system is to be shut down.
The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner, http://www.dcwg.org, that will let them know if they’re infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won’t be able to connect to the Internet.”
This virus is relatively asymptomatic when in your system; it doesn’t crash your computer and it doesn’t invade your files. What this virus does is send users to illegal websites, all with just the click of a button. The FBI was made aware of the virus some time ago, and because of the large number of infected computers — over 350,000 — the government organization set up alternative servers so that users could continue to access the Internet .without interruption. The endeavor was so costly, however, that on July 9th, 2012, the servers will be shut down. Anyone with the DNSChanger virus will not be allowed internet access. Unfortunately, most of the affected machines are owned by private individuals.
Most people know when their computers are at risk. If you are frequently redirected to websites that you have no interest in or don’t match your search criteria, there is a good chance you have a malicious form of software on your system. With this particular virus, taking the machine to a computer programmer to have the Trojan removed might be your only option.
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