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The Conficker virus infected more than 9 million computers in 2009, according to PC World magazine. Although widespread, the Conficker virus did not cause as much serious damage as feared at first.
Symptom
The most common symptom of the Conficker virus is the prevention of installing updates to Windows or any anti-virus software that stops similar viruses.
Warning
Computers without a Microsoft security patch are at risk of being taken over remotely by hackers.
Potential
The Conficker virus also has the potential to learn passwords used on the computer as well as infect any removable device that is connected via a USB port.
Significance
The Conficker virus is a big risk for businesses that have many computers hooked up to one network. Once one computer is infected, the virus can use the network to infect the other computers connected to it.
Considerations
According to PC World, home computers that use a firewall are at less of a risk of contracting the Conficker virus. However, a laptop connected to an infected network is at risk.
Source:
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