Conficker Worm activating April 1

Did you know if you are a PC owner that your machine may be hiding a dark secret? As many as 10 million PCs are believed to be infected with a worm program called "Conficker C" which is currently dormant, but appears set to activate on April 1. What the program will do on April 1 is unknown, but it may allow some remote criminal to take control of the entire network of computers.

More likely, though, said DeBolt, the virus may try to get computer users to buy fake software or spend money on other phony products.

Experts said computer hackers largely have moved away from showboating and causing random trouble. They now usually try to make money off their viral programs.

DeBolt said Conficker C imbeds itself deep in the computer where it is difficult to track. The program, for instance, stops Windows from conducting automatic updates that could prevent the malware from causing damage.

The program's code is also written to evolve over time and its author appears to be making updates to thwart some of the Conficker Cabal's attempts to neuter the worm.

If you own a PC without up-to-date virus protection and the latest updates, you have 6 days to deal with this. After that point, if you are infected then you are at risk for anything from stolen personal information to someone piping illegal materials thru your machine. Now is the time to get right. Or get a Mac (sorry, couldn't resist).