Some computer users could be just a few clicks away from losing internet access.

The problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of computers around the world. The hackers infected a network of probably more than 570,000 computers worldwide.

Most victims don’t even know their computers have been infected, although the malicious software probably has slowed their Web surfing and disabled their antivirus software.

The FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent the internet from shutting down for those infected users. But the safety net is set to expire on July 9.

The FBI is encouraging users to visit a website run by its security partner that will inform them whether they’re infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won’t be able to connect to the Internet.

This is potentially a huge problem for people with infected systems. The malware is called "DNS Changer". You can check your computer easily by visiting this page and running the quick test: DNS Changer Working Group - Detection Test

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-- Jeff (boot13)

Jeff, I do have a question about this. I would say I have a lot of understanding about computers however, they are some things over my head. Okay, you know I use my mac most of the time on TPU. I use Parallels Desktop to run Windows XP prof and being that they say it doesn't effect mac, would it get in Parallels?

I don't think I have it, but when I went to do the scan anyway, it says not for mac users. So I opened firefox in windows and went back to the site and again it shows up as my mac? I don't surf or anything in windows just TPU, battlefield 1942, xfire and fraps. Right now my system seems stable, no weird behavior but I just wanted to be on the safe side.

That's an excellent question. On your Mac, Windows runs in a kind of box, and all communication between Windows and the Internet goes through the Mac operating system. That's why the test shows your system as a Mac instead of Windows: even though it seems like you're running Windows, you're really running Windows as an application on the Mac.

The real question is whether or not running inside the Mac OS protects Windows from the DNS Changer malware. I found some more resources online, including this one, which explains how to check for DNS Changer manually on both Windows and Macs:
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911/DNS-changer-malware.pdf

Here's the main FBI page about DNS Changer:
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911

More DNS Changer info from the DNS Changer Working Group:
http://www.dcwg.org/detect/checking-for-dns-changer-on-windows-xp/

Here's an alternate DNS Changer test from the DCWG:
http://www.dns-ok.us/

If your computer gets its IP address and DNS server IPs from a router on your local network, you need to check the router. That can be a bit more complicated. You'll need to access the router's built-in administration interface and check the DNS settings. Refer to your router's manual or your ISP. But as long as the default password on the router was changed when it was installed, you are almost certainly safe.

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-- Jeff (boot13)

Yes, I get my IP through my router. I went back to my modem handbook and access the modem info. I never changed the password and I left it default too. I use my mac for work and just wanted to be sure so yes, I'm clear of it. Thanks again!

my computers clear as a whistle lol.

Better make sure, this is something worth double checking on. I had two people from work that had it and didn't even suspect they were infected. I guess if someone is infected and can't connect, well a redo of your os to clear it out. That is a pain. If your not, I'm glad, but pass this info to all your cadets and friends anyway.

Just to be clear: you need to make sure your router's password was changed from the default. If it's still the default password, anyone in the world can potentially access it.

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-- Jeff (boot13)

Done, thanks!

According to Woody Leonhard, DNSChanger is not the end of the world:
http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/dnschanger-is-not-the-end-of-the-world/#story1

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-- Jeff (boot13)