The Conficker worm is a type of virus that lives unnoticed in your PC while spreading itself to others over the Internet.

The worm started spreading late last year, infecting millions of computers and turning them into "slaves" that respond to commands sent from a remote server that effectively controls an army of computers known as a botnet.

Conficker installs a second virus, known as Waledac, that sends out e-mail spam without knowledge of the PC's owner, along with a fake anti-spyware program.

In addition, Conficker carries a third virus that warns users their PCs are infected and offers them a fake anti-virus program, called 'SpywareProtect2009'. If they buy it, their credit card information is stolen and the virus downloads even more malicious software.

You should take precautions to ensure you are not already infected and that you are adequately protected.

Users whose computers are not configured to receive patches and updates from Microsoft and who are not running an up-to-date anti-virus product are most at risk. Users who do not have a genuine version of Windows from Microsoft are most at risk since pirated system usually cannot get Microsoft updates and patches.

ZoneAlarm Customers:

If you are running ZoneAlarm Antivirus, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, or ZoneAlarm Extreme you are already protected. See ZoneAlarm Tips below to ensure you're anti-virus is up to date.

Note: ZoneAlarm Pro, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall, and ZoneAlarm ForceField customers are not protected. These products do not include anti-virus.

Users who lack protection are invited to download a 15-day trial version of ZoneAlarm Extreme

ZoneAlarm Customers:

If you are running ZoneAlarm Antivirus, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, or ZoneAlarm Extreme, follow the ZoneAlarm Tips below for detection and removal.

Users who lack protection are invited to download a 15-day trial version of ZoneAlarm Extreme

No anti-virus or anti-spyware solution is 100% effective, so ZoneAlarm recommends a multi-layered security solution. ZoneAlarm's exclusive OSFirewall™ monitors and blocks dangerous behavior within your operating system. While ZoneAlarm's anti-virus feature will detect, block and remove viruses, the OSFirewall will protect you from even the most advanced viruses even if they manage to bypass your anti-virus protection.