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Samantha Hayes ReportingThe newly discovered "Sasser Worm" is snarling computers all over the world, and personal computers are most likely to be infected because home users are the least likely to install a Microsoft Software patch.
It would be wise to check your antivirus updates because four versions of that worm are making their way around the Internet now. Like the "waiting room" at the doctor's office, these computers need the cure for another commonly contracted virus, the Sasser Worm.
Alan Crow, Computer sales Manager: “It’s been ridiculous, ridiculously busy.”
If you are on the internet and your computer is not vaccinated with the latest Windows virus update, look out.
Corbin White, Computer Worm Victim: “Between Saturday and Sunday I probably spent six hours finding all the variations of the virus and the proper fix tools and stuff like that."
The worm infects computers by exploiting a flaw in the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Alan Crow: “But with these viruses, it shuts your system down when you try to get on the internet.”
Unlike many viruses that you can get through an email, this one you get just from being on the internet. So once you fix this problem, experts say to make sure you pick up some antivirus software, because the virus, once it has found a path to your computer, pretty much clears the way for others to come in the same way.
Alan Crow: “We have a lot of people who get the fix then forget to update Windows and then they get the virus again."
If the worm shuts down your computer before you download the patch off the internet, do this:
- Window button and "r"
- type in CMD
- type shutdown-space-dash-a
