Google Started Campaign To Notify DNSChanger Malware Infected PC Users

The problem began in last November when FBI and other security authorities took down hackers running an international advertising scam. The hacker group had run an internet ad scam by infecting internet users’ DNS settings, and sending them to hacker controlled DNS servers which lead the users to false sites. The hackers earned from the advertisement money they showed on those websites. When the security authorities nabbed the hackers, they took down the DNS servers. But, the affected computers’ DNS system were broken and can’t work with other DNS servers. This would have led the infected computers out of the internet. That’s why the security authorities established a safety net by using government operated DNS servers for those computers.


Google Concern About DNSChanger malware, Image Credit: Fncstatic

The safety net was supposed to be on-line till 9 July, 2012. FBI thinks that the infected computers should be disinfected by then. If any infected machine has not been disinfected by then, they would experience internet disruptions after 9 July.

For emboldening people, FBI has run a campaign for months. You can visit a website, if you are infected and get solutions to fix the problem.

But the progress of disinfecting the computers’ DNS systems was slow. Most of the users do not realize that their PC is infected with a DNS changer malware. Companies like Google fears that failure to disinfect the machines may cause major internet disruptions after 9 July, 2012. That’s why, Google has launched a campaign to inform infected PC owners about the issue by showing a warning in Google search page.

Google is using an astute Domain Name System for avoiding any unexpected situation. Google security engineer Damian Menscher told in a post on the company’s security blog “We believe directly messaging affected users on a trusted site and in their preferred language will produce the best possible results.” He also added “we realize we won’t reach every affected user. Some ISPs have been taking their own actions, a few of which will prevent our warning from being displayed on affected devices. We also can’t guarantee that our recommendations will always clean infected devices completely, so some users may need to seek additional help.”

Check your machine’s DNS system before 9 July, 2012 too.

Source: Foxnews

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Forman

Forman Forhad is a Staff Writer at TheTechJournal. He is a Physics Graduate. Forhad covers tech products and industry news. Follow him on Twitter And Google+.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. sandra

     Good information. Very helpful for all of us. Thanks

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