April 1st is the reported date the Conficker worm calls home to receive instructions from its botnet masters. There’s a lot of hype surrounding this “April Fools” worm.  Actually, Conficker.C is a new variant of a worm that’s been around since late last year.  It exploits the MS08-067 vulnerability in un-patched Windows systems.  Microsoft issued a patch for the vulnerability last October.

Much of the hype is just that, hype.  Though worms and botnets are serious business, claims that Conficker will wipe out your computer or bring down the Internet are improbable.   That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned, but as long as your Windows patches and anti-virus definitions are up-to-date, you should be OK.  Actually, hype can be a good thing.  It give us a “teachable moment,” an opportunity to start a conversation about Internet security.

If concerned about an infection, McAfee AVERT is offering a special version of its famous Stinger virus removal tool.  The Conficker Stinger is not a substitute for a full anti-virus application, but can help in the removal of the worm.  Click here to download the current version.

Over Labor Day weekend, the CFAES mail server was upgraded to a newer version.  This will cause some Outlook users to receive a new error message:

Outlook will still work, just click OK to continue.  The new MAPI connector can be downloaded from this link: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~utils/mapi.zip.  Save the file mapi.zip to your desktop, or someplace where you can find it.  Make sure Outlook is not running, then open the mapi.zip file by double clicking it.  Now double click the setup.exe file to update Outlook.  The install application will ask if it should update or install, you need to select update.  It will then ask if you “want to configure your mail profile now?”  Select no.  You can now restart Outlook.

Here is a great read for anyone surfing the net. PCMag.com’s list of 72 tips to help you be a safer computer user. I highly recommend taking a few minutes to read this article. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2254028,00.asp Here’s a tip from the article: Microsoft will provide free technical support if your question concerns viruses or spyware. Call 866-PCSafety (866-727-2338).

From the Press Release: “The order directs state agencies to use the Broadband Ohio Network rather than the patchwork of public and private networks agencies presently use, allowing the state to realize cost savings and efficiencies. The governor has charged the Ohio Broadband Council to extend access to the Broadband Ohio Network so that state agencies in all 88 counties can be linked to the nearest connection point on the network. In addition, the order authorizes governmental and non-governmental entities to access the Broadband Ohio Network.“

Because some of our county offices are in close proximity to other state agencies, we may be able to finally connect up to high quality broadband soon. Though the order doesn’t address that “last mile” connectivity, which can be quite expensive and in many cases, the limiting factor.

Duane, Steve and Rich discuss the approaching E-mail domain change-over.

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