Yuma-Tens of thousands of people around the world may be knocked off-line because of a malicious computer virus.
Lisa Newton said she relies a lot on computers and was alarmed when she heard about the DNS malware.
"I'm sure if someone really knew and wanted to do some damage they could," Newton said.
On Monday, you could lose access to the Internet if your computer is infected with the DNSChanger malware.
Last year, FBI agents arrested a group of computer hackers in Estonia who were running a sophisticated Internet fraud ring that infected millions of computers around the world.
"The FBI is saying we are going to stop this problem from continuing so any machine that is affected with this problem, this DNS changer they are going to shut if off," Paul Bruce, computer information system professor for Arizona Western College said.
The hackers were able to manipulate billions of dollars from Internet advertising.
"They call it Internet spoofing basically tricking somebody into thinking they are who they are not," he said.
Bruce said the virus is designed to attack the server without you even knowing it.
"He can do anything," Bruce said. "He can use that information to steal my identity or steal money or money from advertising."
To find out if your computer is infected with DNS malware, visit the website www.dns-ok.us.
If you see your screen is green, you are in the clear. However if you see a red background, that means the computer is infected but the site will tell you how to fix it.
You are also encouraged to contact your Internet service provider.
Bruce said another way to protect your computer is making sure your anti-virus is updating on a daily basis.
Lisa Newton said she relies a lot on computers and was alarmed when she heard about the DNS malware.
"I'm sure if someone really knew and wanted to do some damage they could," Newton said.
On Monday, you could lose access to the Internet if your computer is infected with the DNSChanger malware.
Last year, FBI agents arrested a group of computer hackers in Estonia who were running a sophisticated Internet fraud ring that infected millions of computers around the world.
"The FBI is saying we are going to stop this problem from continuing so any machine that is affected with this problem, this DNS changer they are going to shut if off," Paul Bruce, computer information system professor for Arizona Western College said.
The hackers were able to manipulate billions of dollars from Internet advertising.
"They call it Internet spoofing basically tricking somebody into thinking they are who they are not," he said.
Bruce said the virus is designed to attack the server without you even knowing it.
"He can do anything," Bruce said. "He can use that information to steal my identity or steal money or money from advertising."
To find out if your computer is infected with DNS malware, visit the website www.dns-ok.us.
If you see your screen is green, you are in the clear. However if you see a red background, that means the computer is infected but the site will tell you how to fix it.
You are also encouraged to contact your Internet service provider.
Bruce said another way to protect your computer is making sure your anti-virus is updating on a daily basis.
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