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Conficker worm set for April Fools Day re-launch

An April Fools Day internet security surprise is set to target internet users as a variant of the Conficker or Downadup worm launches an attack, it has been revealed.

Computer Associates (CA) has claimed that a third variant of the online threat is set to be activated on April 1st with an epic launch that will see it target up to 50,000 URLs every day.

The Win32/Conficker.C is capable of "downloading component files using time-based generated URLs" and can block security related websites and terminate system security services, CA said.

"When executed, Win32/Conficker.C drops a copy of itself using a random filename in the %System% directory," the company said.

The worm is said to also attempt to block running applications from accessing certain security-related URLs in a bid to cut access to any internet security help or software updates.

Experts recommend having regularly updated internet security software to prevent such online threats from infecting PCs.

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