July 6, 2012
DNSChanger Malware Could Disrupt Internet Access on Monday, July 9
You may have heard in recent news reports that some computers might not be able to access the Internet, beginning Monday, July 9, because the computer is infected with the DNSChanger malware. The FBI estimates that there are 60,000 of these infected computers across the U.S. The DNSChanger malware is capable of modifying a computer's Domain Name System (DNS) settings sending users to malicious web sites.
Symantec, whose antivirus program is used at Mason, has had DNSChanger malware detection since January 2007. Most Mason computers are connected to MESA and thus have Symantec antivirus installed and updated on their computers and should be protected from DNSChanger malware.
If you think your computer might be infected, click on the DNS Changer Check-Up (www.dns-ok.us ) page that is provided on the FBI website and your computer will be checked for the malware. The FBI has also put together instructions on how to determine manually if a computer has been compromised or not. See www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911/DNS-changer-malware.pdf for more details. You can also use these links for your personal computer.
If you have any problems on Monday with your university computer, contact the Support Center at 993-8870.