If you’re not sure, then you could possibly lose access to the internet on Monday, July 9th at 1201am.  Link to STORY

DNS – Domain Name System – is an Internet service that converts user-friendly domains names, such as www.latenightparents.com, into numerical addresses that allow computers to talk to each other.  Without DNS and the DNS servers operated by Internet Service Providers, computer users would not be able to browse web sites, send e-mail, or connect to any internet services.

What is DNSChanger?

DNSChanger is a Trojan horse malware with many variants. It changes an infected computer’s DNS settings to point to rogue, bad guy-controlled servers. These then show you ads that look real, but aren’t. Basically, it redirects your legitimate Web surfing to malicious Web sites that then attempt to steal personal information and generate illegitimate ad revenue.

How can I tell that my PC is affected?

You can visit an FBI-approved website: http://www.dcwg.org. There you will find links to services that will run a quick check on your PC, as well as guidelines to manually carry out a deeper malware inspection. Keep in mind, there is no easy way to tell what specific piece of malware may be controlling your PC. Malware is difficult to detect and often slows down the time it takes for Web pages to load.  LINK to additional tools.

What can I do if it appears that my PC is infected?

Make sure you have updated, working anti-virus protection, and educate yourself about how to use the scanning and cleanup tools that come with the top consumer anti-virus products. Keep in mind that malware is designed to resist detection and cleanup. Many types can only be eliminated by installing a fresh copy of the Windows operating system.

What if I’m cut off from my internet services?

Contact your Internet Service Provider for help on reconnecting to the internet.  Request guidance on how to remove the malware or criminals will continue to control your machine. Google, Facebook and your ISP have created special warnings and sent prior notifications to customers whose computers appeared to be affected.

Globally – there are 330,000 people still infected with DNSCHANGER – with 77,000 of those in the U.S.

Sources: USA TODAY, CNET, Shelly Palmer Digital Living, Google, Facebook