Friday, July 6, 2012

Internet Doomsday is HOAX?

More recently, there was news that a group or a computer hacker would make a big rally on July 9, 2012. According to the outstanding issues, if you can not guarantee the security of your computer, then the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will "help" to cut off your access to the Internet network.

Unfortunately, the news contains only half the truth, similar to the stories about a massive attack or a "doomsday" in cyberspace. If you remember 12 years ago, it was rumored all over the world that there will be a massive attack of the "millennium bug" that will make your computer loses all data and stop working. But if you are one of many Windows and Mac users, then it should be a concern this news.

News of the attack originated in 2007, when a group of "cyber forces" launched a malware called DNSChanger. The malware is able to attack and infect millions of computers in hundreds of countries. By using a code that does not seem to be understood by the layman, these attacks work by manipulating the ads on the internet browser, which in turn generate millions of dollars for the hackers.

In general, DNSChanger 'work is very simple. Malware is targeting several computers that work with Windows or Mac operating systems by manipulating the Domain Name Servers (DNS).

When you type a website address, say "google.com", then you will be directed to the DNS server by your internet provider. Address that you type will be instantly converted into a number called the IP address.

DNSChanger is closely related to the Internet provider's DNS server. Once a computer is infected, the malware will change the path our request to the server by hackers. There, they sabotaged some of the ads that usually appear when you surf on the internet that will generate millions of dollars if you decide to click on the page.

To cope it, the FBI had cooperated with the authorities of Estonia state to track the hacker. Until the end, the FBI managed to hold six computer hacker. The six hackers are stateless Estonia.

In the process, the FBI also had decided to let the hacker's server is working. The decision was based on estimates of the numbers that the computer has been infected with malware, in order to avoid malfunctioning of the internet users who do not understand that their computer has been infected.

Since then, the FBI immediately asked the court to release a rule that allows Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) ​​to clean up the remnants of the malware that has been circulating throughout the world. ISC itself is a nonprofit that supports the infrastructure in the Internet world. Unfortunately, the cleaning operation is to spend enough money, until eventually the authorities decided to suspend operations on July 9, 2012.

Cancellation of the cleaning operation will not affect your activities in running the Internet. Suppose your computer is infected with DNSChanger malware, you will not experience any changes in your machine. One thing that becomes the most important thing is, the FBI will not shut down your internet network.

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