Glossary

DNS  – short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they’re easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name http://www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4. via  http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DNS.html

Malware – short for malicious software.  Malware is software designed to disrupt a computer’s operation, gather sensitive information, and/or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. via http://www.wikipedia.org/

Rogue DNS server – a rogue DNS server translates domain names of desirable websites (search engines, banks, brokers, etc.) into IP addresses of sites with unintended content, even malicious websites. Most users depend on DNS servers automatically assigned by their ISPs. via http://www.wikipedia.org/

SOHO Network – can stand for single office/home office network. via http://www.wikipedia.org/

ISP – an Internet Service Provider (ISP) is an organization that provides access to the Internet. The FBI has provided information to ISP’s that can be used to redirect their users from rogue DNS servers to the ISP’s own legitimate servers. DNS-changer-malware.pdf (application/pdf Object).

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Jared Newman, PCWorld,  has written a thorough article about DNS Changer. Below is a summary of that article, and what the FBI wants and warns users to do to be ready for what’s coming.

• PC Users have until July 9, 2012 to remove DNS Changer Malware. After July 9, the FBI will ‘throw a switch’, which will prevent infected computers
  from accessing the Internet.
• DNS Changer is a Trojan. Trojans conceal malicious software, and are not good for your computer.
• DNS Changer redirects computers to hacker-created Websites. It also prevents computers from updating or using anti-virus software.
• If users do not remove DNS Changer before the July 9 deadline, they ‘ll have to load anti-virus software by disk or USB drive.
  Users who do not have access to a second PC for downloading software will be at a disadvantage.

You can read the detailed article by clicking this link – http://www.pcworld.com/topics/security.html

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Guidelines for what you should do:

1) If this is all too complicated, hire a computer professional to help you.  🙂

2) Find out if you’re infected by visiting the DNS Changer Check-Up site by clicking this link – https://forms.fbi.gov/check-to-see-if-your-computer-is-using-rogue-DNS  (It checks the DNS resolution of your PC; however, it does not install more software).

3)  Infected users can check the DNS Changer Working Group for a list of anti-virus software to fix the problem. http://www.dcwg.org/

4) Avira offers a repair tool specifically for DNS Changer. To view Avira site click this link – https://www.avira.com/en/search?q=repair+tool&x=0&y=0

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Go directly to the FBI website for more details by clicking the link below

http://www.fbi.gov/

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I hope this is helpful 🙂