Community Corner

Will Your Computer Survive DNSChanger Virus?

Come July 9, some 277,000 computers worldwide are still on track to lose internet unless a fix is applied.

Without a fix that is being put out by the FBI, it is possible that hundreds of thousands of computer users infected by the DNSChanger computer virus could lose access to the internet on Monday.

The Huffington Post reported in April that the problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers.

The FBI responded with a safety net using government computers to prevent internet disruptions.

Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The problem arises during the process of shutting down the computer. Once the shutdown is complete, computers infected by DNSChanger could lose access to the internet. D-day is set for July 9.

According to CBS News, although down from the number reported in April, some 277,000 computers worldwide — 64,000 of them in the U.S. — could still be infected.

Find out what's happening in Syossetwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The FBI is still urging users to visit www.dcwg.org, a website run by its security partner, to find out whether their computer is infected and how to fix the problem. After July 9, any computers still infected will not be able to access the Internet.

Many people still don’t know whether or not their computers have been affected.


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