How to check your PC for Doomsday Virus

"Is the Internet shutting down?"

That's what some panicked viewers have been asking us, after hearing warnings about the so called "Doomsday Virus" scheduled to hit computers just after midnight, on Monday, July 9.

The good news: Most computers were not affected, as of Monday evening.  But you can still check yours, just to be sure.

What It Is All About

The so-called "DNS Changer" malware is an infection launched worldwide by overseas hackers last year.  It is designed to take control of vulnerable computers.

The FBI spotted the threat, and set up special servers to block the malware in the US.  However, on July 9, the FBI is taking that firewall down.

The FBI believes that more than 250,000 computers that do not have up-to-date antivirus protection may have been infected, and may lose their Internet connection on Monday.

What You Can Do

The easiest thing to do is to visit the FBI's website to see if your PC is infected. It couldn't be simpler: the website shows up red if your PC is infected, or green if it's OK.

Click here for the special page (it could take a few attempts, as it may be overloaded.)  Or type  www.dns-ok.us. into your browser.  It is not expected to impact smartphones or tablets. Red if your PC is infected, or green if it's OK.

If the page comes up red, you don't have up-to-date antivirus protection, and your PC could be hit.

Solution: download current antivirus software, either from a paid program like Symantec or McAfee, or a free antivirus program like AVG , or check some of the free fixes the FBI suggests. 

You can read much more at the FBI's Press Release.

As always, don't waste your money.
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