Everybody's freaked out by that stupid virus all over the news. Well here are some tips.

How do I stay safe?

Security experts recommend that you run good antivirus software (such as Norton or McAfee) and that you keep updated with all the latest patches and updates from both Microsoft (Vista and XP) and for your antivirus provider. "Free" security scans from various websites are not recommended. Google searches for Conficker protection software are not advisable either, as they could redirect you sites that will actually infect you. Users who received all the automatic updates from Microsoft should be already protected from Conficker.

How do I know if I'm infected?

Spreading across networks, Conficker finds vulnerable computers and automatically disables security services (like Windows Update and antivirus) and blocks access to various well-known security firms' websites. Another symptom of Conficker infection is when your Internet connection is running suspiciously slow, without any apparent reason. The best way to find out whether you already have Conficker is to use one of the Microsoft, Symantec or McAfee security tools Aa free trial version of these should at least help you remove the virus and keep you safe tomorrow).

A free program to test for and remove the Conficker worm is at the Symantec official website. You can go there and download it.

Those dirty Russians better stop hacking I swear.