Internet Doomsday July 9th

[Ma Huang Sor]

If you see this message pop up on your computer screen in the days, weeks and months ahead, don't panic: It's legitimate and it's meant to warn you about malware that could hurt your computer.

We recently told you about the "Internet doomsday" that could happen July 9 for PC and Mac users who haven't taken steps to make sure their systems aren't infected with DNSChanger malware.

The malware is so vicious — it can interfere with users' Web browsing, steer them to fraudulent websites and make their computers vulnerable to other malicious software — that the FBI has put a safety net of sorts in place, using government computers to prevent any Internet disruptions for users whose computers may be infected. But the government's safety net goes away July 9, and starting on that day, you may not be able to get an Internet connection if your computer is infected with DNSChanger.

Two companies, OpenDNS and CloudFlare, have put together the message alert system to help more than a half-million U.S. users who are believed to have the DNSChanger malware on their computers and don't know it, and who may not have read about it in recent weeks.

Both companies — doing the program as a "goodwill effort," according to a spokesperson for OpenDNS — have been working on "detecting IP addresses and recognizing those associated with the malware."

Infected users will see the message shown above pop up on their computer screen. The message says, in part, that the user's Domain Name Server settings suggest "you probably have the DNSChanger malware."

Users are then directed to an OpenDNS website which has instructions on how to switch DNS to OpenDNS's trusted servers. The message also has a link to the FBI's website for more information. (You can learn more from the FBI here.)

Both companies talk about their effort in this press release.

If you are among those seeing the new message, and don't take any action, you'll keep getting the message until you do — right up until July 9, when your Internet connection is severed.

[Ilyanna]

We had the same kind of warning in Germany early this year, the "doomsday" to have been March 1^st. Two things I find unsettling in this:

using government computers to prevent any Internet disruptions for users whose computers may be infected. But the government's safety net goes away July 9, and starting on that day, you may not be able to get an Internet connection if your computer is infected with DNSChanger.

I am in no way savvy when it comes to servers and stuff, but doesn't this basically mean that without prior notice, the FBI has installed servers that control (and maybe even store information on) internet traffic of unsuspecting users? And it applied in my case, as well - we were told after the fact that the FBI and a German government institution had been so "nice" to make sure we can use the 'net any way we want - through their servers. Now, I know I am slightly paranoid when it comes to giving information to the government (of any nation), but... am I really the only one to kind of go 'hmmm'?

After having done an extensive google research on this, I'd found out that in Germany with approx. 50 mill. internet-users, about 3,000 were to be affected by that malware. No "official" source had stated that no., they all kind of insinuated that this was a nation-wide problem. FWIW - at the end of March, I asked around online as well as in RL: nobody who hadn't used the tool experienced any problems.

What's interesting is that in above article, it's two (privately-owned?) companies who apparently search for affected IP's without the user actively allowing them to. In our case, we were suggested to go to a governmental website that would then automatically check for said malware. (And get your IP, just like that. But hey, it's my government, what use would they have for thousands of IPs, eh? )

I am not saying that this is a complete hoax or that there isn't some DNS changer malware, mind you, but the way this is dealt with just makes me... uncomfortable, especially with all those efforts to control the 'net currently being under discussion.

[Duchess]

I wouldn't even consider going to a gov. site and letting them check any damn thing. If something were to happen and I couldn't resolve it myself, I'd just buy a new pc.

These days, I wouldn't leave my computer in a shop to be worked on, I'd pay a little more to have someone come to my home so that I could sit right there and watch what was being done.

[Ilyanna]

^Exactly. I'm not letting anybody look into my PC I don't personally know and trust. I am frustrated at the current development that more and more sensitive data are being stored online, from bank details over driving records to tax information without me having a chance to disagree to that. So I really don't feel like voluntarily handing over my online ID to the govt./some private company working with the govt. just because my 'net access might be interrupted.

[Maggot]

Use an external hard drive.

[Ma Huang Sor]

Which was why I posted it. I used "Have you been Botted" to verify there was no dns changer on my system, and that project is completely anonymous.

It is freaking creepy though, the lengths the FBI will go to to get in your computer. I don't get what the need is to look at every keystroke of every user, aside from that 1984 type Big Brother thing.

[Ilyanna]

Use an external hard drive.

Not sure what that's directed at - you mean in case of necessary maintenance?