A computer program that found its way onto the internet last November has been baffling experts.  This program, referred to as Conficker, has the ability to take control of computers, stealing information such as passwords to email accounts.  The program can also generate massive amounts of spam to make computer owners think that their computers are infected by viruses and persuade them to pay for ‘antivirus software’ to combat these problems.  Research has been done on the program since its discovery, but the experts have little to no information about where it came from.  One of the only things that the experts know is that the authors of this program are using the most advanced technology available, and they are professionals.

            When the program first stepped onto the scene, computer experts from all over the country banded together to attempt to stop its rapid spread.  They were successful in erasing it from many computers, but Conficker is a very advanced program, and it has an internal security system to protect itself from being erased.  It can also detect when programs are looking for it, and it kills them or hides from them.

            The experts have won many battles in their bout with this rogue program, but overall, they have been unable to wipe it out.  The director of the Conficker Working Group, a group that banded together to try to stop this program, commented recently that his team, so far, has not been able to take control back from the program in any way.  However, the team says that the program has not been activated recently, and they hope that it has been abandoned.  This research has been productive, and it has shown that the government and private groups can work together to counter cyber threats.