You can go to Microsoft and get the patch just in case.

April 1 Conficker C computer worm

There are several news reports circulating regarding the "Conficker C" worm that is set to strike on April 1, 2009.

For those who are concerned about their computers there are a few steps you can take right now.

First, back up any important data. This is just plain sound advice, regardless of viruses, worms, etc. A hard drive crash can destroy data.

Make sure that the Windows Security Center is working and keep up on your windows updates. Check on the status on your firewall and make sure you have a current up-to-date antivirus software program. If you do not know how to do this, then check out http://www.staysafeonline.org for some easy to digest security education.

Conficker.C is a pretty nasty piece of malware. But remember, there are thousands of other threats out there as well. If you are taking the right steps to keep your computer secure, then Conficker.C will be no riskier to you than the other threats you have not been getting infected with.

If you are interested in more information about this worm check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker. Keep in mind that this has been patched by Microsoft since October 2008 and as long as you do your Windows Updates regularly you have little to worry about.

- Andrew

Thanks a lot Andrew, it's nice to know there are people like yourself that can help the non hi-tech people such as myself.

With regards to the "postcard" virus when I said to shut down your computer I should have been clearer. If "postcard' shows up then punch at the same time CTRL/ALT/DELETE; a screen will come up. Punch onto task manager; and awindow will appear ; punch the" process" tab; then choose which processes/ programs to end that are coming from the internet eg. internet explorer; internet outlook etc. Then after you have ended these, shut down your computer . You can reboot it up safely as the virus will be blocked/stopped.

This is how it was explained to me and as I'm not computer literate or hi-tech I need all the help I can get! Hope this helps someone else as it did me (hope I didn't ramble on-sorry ).
Take care Lois

Lois,

I'm only going to send you a couple links about the postcard virus that your talking about as I get to deal with this one all the time ;)

Everyone has everyone elses best interest at heart but:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_postcard_virus.htm

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/postcard-virus-hoax.shtml

http://antivirus.about.com/od/emailhoaxes/p/postcard.htm

Well I could give you a lot of different websites that say the exact same thing if you would like...

It really is one of the worst viruses ever as it is just so darn effective.

- Andrew