The FBI Might Cut Off the Internet For Millions of People on March 8th - Polidicks

In an unprecedented move, the FBI may cut off Internet access to millions of people on March 8th to try to rid the country of a Trojan. Millions of computers are infected worldwide—maybe even yours. The DNSChanger Trojan originated in Estonia and might be lurking undetected on as many as a half-million computers in the United States, according to Brian Krebs. It has been found on the computers at half of all Fortune 500 companies and at 27 government agencies. The Trojan changes an infected computer's DNS settings to send users to fraudulent websites. What's more, the worm is particularly malicious in that it also prevents you from visiting security websites that might diagnose or fix the problem. While the men authorities suspect are behind the Trojan have been arrested, the Feds, working in concert with the Estonian government, have yet to put the final kill on the worm's botnet. That's where the Internet shutdown comes in. The FBI has a court order allowing it to set up temporary replacement DNS servers so that those with infected computers or networks can get the worm off of their systems. The court order, however, expires on March 8th. Unless that order gets extended, anybody who hasn't cleaned up their act before it expires, might get cut off from the Internet altogether. Luckily, it turns out kicking DNSChanger is manageable—as long as you know you've got a problem. To learn more about checking your computer or network for the Trojan check out the DNS Changer Working Group and the FBI. [url]http://gizmodo.com/5885716/the-fbi-might-cut-off-the-internet-for-millions-of-people-on-march-8th[/url]

Oh what? They won't be able to do this.

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500"] [TR] [TD]"What's more, the worm is particularly malicious in that it also prevents you from visiting security websites that might diagnose or fix the problem." [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Well give an example of one of these sites then

[QUOTE=TheSporeGA;34733748]Oh what? They won't be able to do this.[/QUOTE] yes they can, easily enough to, since they now control the actual replacement DNS server, its not cutting off their internet, its shutting down their DNS server, and they would beable to get back on once they remove the virus

I bet they're just testing if they can actually do this. [sp]Probably not, but hey...[/sp]

I'm calling bullshit.

I had this fucker. It redirected everything I searched to porn, ads or gambling.

I didn't even know about this "huge infection" until now.

I actually just helped my uncle get rid of this pain in the ass. I see nothing wrong with this. They are shutting down a DNS server that is part of a known botnet to help people fix their computers. Nothing malicious.

[QUOTE=viperfan7;34733813]yes they can, easily enough to, since they now control the actual replacement DNS server, its not cutting off their internet, its shutting down their DNS server, and they would beable to get back on once they remove the virus[/QUOTE] Well they CAN, but there is no way they will let them do that.

[QUOTE=Mlisen14;34733841]I had this fucker. It redirected everything I searched to porn, ads or gambling.[/QUOTE] Sounds like a normal day to me.

[QUOTE=Samuka97;34733845]I didn't even know about this "huge infection" until now.[/QUOTE] Realize that the people that get infected with viruses now a days are the same people that don't know how to use AV or what it is. Hard to report on a problem when nobody notices it.

[QUOTE=Mlisen14;34733841]I had this fucker. It redirected everything I searched to porn, ads or gambling.[/QUOTE] Cool where do I get it?

[QUOTE=TheSporeGA;34733881]Well they CAN, but there is no way they will let them do that.[/QUOTE] Why should we continue running a private DNS server for a virus?

Bullshit. The FBI is not stupid enough to think that millions of users will clean their systems in that one day.

I've had to get rid of this thing from other people's computers multiple times, its bloody frustrating.

The FBI is making this big a deal over a nasty little Trojan? Bull shit.

I'm relieved this was just a trojan precaution. I thought the there was some kind of new crazy internet censorship act going on.

[QUOTE=Killuah;34733905]Bullshit. The FBI is not stupid enough to think that millions of users will clean their systems in that one day.[/QUOTE] If they can control the DNS servers, they could literally forward all requests to an antivirus website or a specific scanner. To anyone who likes to play with viruses in VMs, Netlux has this particular trojan in a variety of samples.

Soooo were gonna have a real life repeat of terminator 3 then?

[QUOTE=Corey_Faure;34733927]I'm relieved this was just a trojan precaution. I thought the there was some kind of new crazy internet censorship act going on.[/QUOTE] Could still be that, hidden under the guise of a white lie. Nonetheless, if it's only just to get rid of the virus, then I guess it's somewhat reasonable...

[QUOTE=PvtTwinkletoes;34733954]Soooo were gonna have a real life repeat of terminator 3 then?[/QUOTE] Talk to the hand. [img]http://iapetus09.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/worst-three-quels-ever-20090323025309677.jpg?w=500[/img]# Shut up.

[QUOTE=Corey_Faure;34733927]I'm relieved this was just a trojan precaution. I thought the there was some kind of new crazy internet censorship act going on.[/QUOTE] Thank OP for that absolutely horrible thread title.

That title...

i hope this virus doesn't steal any imformation or passwords...

anyone who is generally computer literate shouldn't really have anything to worry about if this isn't bullshit

[QUOTE=Ermac20;34734048]i hope this virus doesn't steal any imformation or passwords...[/QUOTE] Only way it seems it might do that is if your smart enough to not leave the sites it links you to.

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;34733739]The FBI has a court order allowing it to set up temporary replacement DNS servers[/QUOTE] Oh wouldn't they just LOVE that, seeing where everyone visits and could even block sites like The Pirate Bay.

[QUOTE=Techno-Man;34734111]Oh wouldn't they just LOVE that, seeing where everyone visits and could even block sites like The Pirate Bay.[/QUOTE] :tinfoil:

[QUOTE=TheSporeGA;34733881]Well they CAN, but there is no way they will let them do that.[/QUOTE] why not, it would be preferable to leaving it up for everyone affected