The ACMA estimates that between 7,000 to 7,500 Australian internet users are either infected with DNSChanger software or their Internet settings are still changed as a result of the malware.
From 2007 to 2011, the DNSChanger malware was used to redirect Internet users in more than 100 countries to rogue servers, exposing them to malicious Internet activity. In all, approximately four million computers are said to have been affected by DNSChanger.
In 2011, the FBI closed down the DNSChanger network and made arrests. So that millions of affected computers could keep accessing the Internet, a temporary solution was setup, but this did not rid PCs of the infection.
If you are one of those people, you should know that on July 9, the temporary solution set up to combat DNSChanger will be switched off for good. This means that computers still infected with the malware will encounter significant problems, including severely crippled internet access.
The good news is that clearing your PC of the malicious software is relatively easy. Visit the Australian Government's dns-ok.gov.au site and follow the prompts.
If your computer is clear you will see the message: 'You do not appear to be affected by DNSChanger' in reassuring green.
Infected computers will receive a red warning stating ‘You appear to be affected by DNSChanger.’ You will then be able to access online remedy tools and step-by-step advice on how to restore correct internet settings.
If you prefer to perform a manual diagnosis, you can download the following PDF of instructions from the FBI.
