If you've been paying attention to the news, you'll be aware of a doomsday-style apocalypse that's going to wipe your computer off the face of the Earth this Monday. If you have a brain, you'd have probably realised that it's all a bit far fetched science fiction. Those with a brain, read on. The internet isn't shutting down at all, which is why this article has just become a little bit more boring in less than a minute. Over the course of a few months, even years, your computer might have become infected with a nice little virus (namely, DNSChanger) you've picked up from the internet. Think of it as a virtual STD, but a harmless one. In response, the FBI set up servers, and (to cut a bland story short) and all the computers infected with said virus, now use these FBI servers to access the internet. On Monday, these servers will be shut down, and everyone computer connected will have a bit of a problem. The virus in question, DNSChanger is arguably one of the friendlier virus' circulating our fair web. It doesn't take any information, and sell it, it simply aggravates you to no-ends by interfering with your computers ability to access the internet. Typically only those with DS3 Ocx line solutions will not be affected due to there fast internet speeds. Technically, it negates your computers ability to interpret say 'www.whatculture.com' into it's literal IP code, or rather the code the internet uses to direct your machine to a webpage. Think of someone removing your voice box, you know what you want to say, but have no means to say it. The question at hand here though, because we're all selfish, is 'Am I going to be effected?' Probably not. There's some debate over the exact number of infected machines, but it's no more than half a million machines globally. In the grand scheme, that's not a huge amount, and those of your that have the virus, probably deserve to have it in one form or another. (Yes, the virus only comes from those sites).
Barry Greene, a spokesman for the FBI clarified:Think about it: Various estimates place the number of PCs worldwide at between 1 billion and 2 billion. That means the 250,000 or so still-infected computers represent fewer than 2-100ths of a percent (0.02 percent) of all PCs in the world. Thats about the number of PCs a botnet hunter commandeers in a single day, Greene says, adding: Its no big deal.
If you're feeling worried, have no fear, this site will check your computer for the virus. If you're infected, it'll provide you with steps to rehabilitate your sinful machine.