Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen

Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen is among the most common and dangerous malware infections of 2011 and 2012. Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen is a network aware worm, which means Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen can spread through a local network by using shared folders and attacking unsecured access points in computer systems connected to the infected network. Like most worms, Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen can also spread through removable memory devices and copies itself to all drives located on the infected computer system. Some effects of Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen include taking over the infected computer's web browser, hiding some of the infected computer's files, affecting Windows Updated and blocking the infected computer's System Restore feature in order to prevent the victim from loading an unaffected version of the infected operating system. Variants of the Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen have been around for several years and, even though PC security researchers have studied this malware threat exhaustively, Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen is still one of the top malware threats as of April of 2012.

Your Best Tool for Dealing with the Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen Worm is Updating Your PC

The fact that Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen has been around for so long means that malware analysts have had a chance to engineer security software to prevent attacks from this invader. Due to this worm's prevalence, almost all security software manufacturers include Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen Worm in its watch-lists and virus databases. Also, known as the Downadup worm, Kido and Conficker, Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen Worm tends to use exploits that are already patched in modern operating systems and recent versions of common applications like web browsers and runtime environments like Java or Flash. This means that installing the most recent patches for your PC will prevent most Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen Worm attacks from even reaching your computer system.

Once infected, a computer system turns into a new distribution point for Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen. This means that ensuring that your computer system is properly updated and protected is not only a matter of protecting your own computer but also ensuring the safety of other computer systems that may be connected to yours directly or indirectly. Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen has also been known to attempt to gain administrator privileges and access to confidential accounts by attempting to log in with ordinary passwords (it is surprising how many computer users still use '1234' or 'password' to protect their most important information!) This means that you can protect yourself and others from Worm.Win32.Downad.Gen Worm using a strong password.