Does anyone know about the Conficker worm? (USAToday)

If you keep your systems updated and patched with the latest security updates and patches, and you keep you system scanned with current real-time anti-malware scanning, you use an effective firewall, you don't open attachments and downloads without scanning first, and finally, you don't participate in risky behavior - such as illegal filesharing of music and videos on P2P sites, or illegal porn or gambling sites, then you will be okay.

Fears of a Conficker Meltdown Greatly Exaggerated - Business Center - PC World

According to Eset, the makers of NOD32 Anti-virus, You need to have the 3 following MS Patches...
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 – Critical: Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644)
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-068 – Important: Vulnerability in SMB Could Allow Remote Code Execution (957097)
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS09-001 - Critical: Vulnerabilities in SMB Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958687)

Eset also released a removal tool => Eset - Vicious worm continues to spread threatening to grow into an epidemic
Enigma, the makers of SpyHunter, have also released a scanner\removal tool => Enigma Software Group USA LLC.

Conficker's next move a mystery to researchers

Yeh I keep the updates current, I have what I believe are safe internet browsing pratices, & I have anti-malware. Thanks for the list of updates. I found out that I do have all of them installed.

Go here for more than you ever wanted to know.

I saw that too. Key points include:

The numbers reported in the press are most likely overestimates.

WHAT???? The media blows things out of proportion???? Oh no!!!!!!!!!

The patch for this exploit was released by Microsoft on October 23 2008, and those Windows PCs that receive automated security updates have not been vulnerable to this exploit.

Why Conficker has been able to proliferate so widely may be an interesting testament to the stubbornness of some PC users to avoid staying current with the latest Microsoft security patches.

Some reports, such as the case of the Conficker outbreak within Sheffield Hospital's operating ward, suggest that even security-conscious environments may elect to forgo automated software patching, choosing to trade off vulnerability exposure for some perceived notion of platform stability. (my bold added)

regions with dense Conficker populations also appear to correspond to areas where the use of unregistered (pirated) Windows releases are widespread, and the regular application of available security patches [9] are rare.

Exactly why I have been saying for years that, as part of Practicing Safe Computing we need to demand the United Nations enforce the existing laws on software counterfeiting. The users of illegal software are nothing short of thieves - and a threat to the rest of us. They are badguys - scum.

McAfee have created a Stinger tool for "Conficker" => McAfee Threat Center