PRESS RELEASE
McAfee releases a free tool to help consumers identify the risk of DNS Trojan and modify their Internet settings by ‘DNSChanger' Trojan
On 9th July, 2012, the FBI will be shutting down Internet servers that had previously allowed millions of Internet users, who were infected by the DNSChanger Trojan, access the Internet. Internet users who were affected by the Trojan will lose access to websites, email, chat, or social networking sites on 9th July.
Note: Internet servers are also known as Domain Name System (DNS) servers. DNSChanger Trojan is a nasty virus that has been around for some time.
What consumers should be aware of:
- Before 9thJuly, it is recommended that all consumer Internet users check their computers for the Trojan and update their Internet settings.
- If the computer has the Trojan or does not have the correct Internet settings then they will not have access to the Internet beginning 9thJuly.
- To do quick check on a computer, McAfee has just introduced a free tool that helps users easily identify whether they have been affected by the Trojan and offers a free solution if they have been infected.
Here are the recommended actions that consumers should take before 9th July:
Consumers can follow these steps to find out if their computer is infected with the DNSChanger Trojan and if their Internet settings need to be updated.
1. Go to: www.mcafee.com/dnscheck.
2. Click the "Check Now" button to see if the computer has been infected.
3. If the computer is infected, the website take the consumer through a process that will offer a free solution to get rid of the Trojan and update the Internet settings.
4. If it is not infected, you will receive a "Congratulations, you are OK" screen and no further actions are needed. The computer's Internet settings are up to date.
Additional information about DNS servers and the DNSChanger Trojan:
What is a Domain Name System (or DNS)?
Domain Name System, also known as DNS, changes user-friendly website names into the Internet protocol (IP) addresses that computers use to talk to each other. When computer users enter a website name (ex. www.name.com) into their web browsers, their computer will contact a DNS server.
What is the ‘DNSChanger' Trojan?
‘DNSChanger' is a trojan created by cybercriminals to redirect the Internet traffic of millions of unsuspecting consumers to websites where the thieves have profited from advertisements. If your DNS server has been infected by this virus, you will not be able to go anywhere online. All computers still infected with DNSChanger malware will no longer be able to access websites, email, chat, or social networking sites like Facebook after 9th July.
