QHow can I tell if my computer has been hit by Conficker? Howwould I remove it?
AThis virus (sometimes called Downadup) has been infectingWindows computers for the past several months. It's an exceptionallypersistent, aggressive threat. It can spread over shared flash-memory drives, and the most recent variant even blocks access to Web sites of security-software vendors. (If you can't reachmicrosoft.com, your PC is in trouble.)
On April 1, copies of Conficker may download extra-malicious code-- to do what remains unclear -- so you'd better make sure yourPC is clean before then.
The Internet Storm Center, a project of the Bethesda-based SANSInstitute, maintains a list of links to Conficker-removal tools fromnumerous security-software developers (isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid =5860). Since Conficker can stop you from gettingto that page and those links, you may need to borrow an uninfectedmachine to download a removal tool. Some vendors also have set upalternate Web addresses that Conficker doesn't know about; forinstance, try fsecure.com or bdtools.net for free Conficker fixesfrom F-Secure and BitDefender.
Of course, if you've set Windows to install Microsoft securitypatches automatically and have kept your anti-virus utility current,you should be safe. So if you haven't been downloading thoseupdates, now would be a swell time to start.
My four-year-old laptop's screen has gone almost completely dark.Can I fix that?
The small fluorescent backlight inside the screen has broken orburned out. A computer store should be able to replace it, but thatcan easily cost several hundred dollars. You may find that it makesmore sense to scrap the old computer and buy a new one.
Rob Pegoraro attempts to untangle computing conundrums and errantelectronics each week. Send questions to The Washington Post, 115015th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071 or robp@washpost.com. Turn toThursday's Business section or visit washingtonpost.com anytime forhis Fast Forward column.
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