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BitDefender offers free tool that completely removes Conficker/Downadup worm from business networks

Announcement posted by BitDefender 31 Mar 2009

Demonstration of the removal process available on YouTube
SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – March 31, 2009 – BitDefender, an award-winning provider of innovative anti-malware security solutions, has launched a free tool that removes all versions of the Conficker (or Downadup) worm on business workstations and networks. The removal tool can be accessed at http://bdtools.net.

While BitDefender’s Conficker removal tool was first available for home users last week, the company has added a similar removal tool for business networks this week. BitDefender’s unique network removal tool is scalable and can be used by networks of various sizes. The tool allows IT administrators to easily and centrally remove the Conficker worm from business networks without the need to run a local removal tool on each machine, thus avoiding the risks of the worm spreading throughout the network again.

“BitDefender understands that home workstations are not the only entities being affected by the Conficker worm. Business networks are also being infected,” said Vlad Valceanu, BitDefender’s senior malware analyst. “Businesses worldwide can experience significant losses in productivity or network downtime due to the Conficker worm, which is simply unacceptable for any business, especially in the current economic climate. BitDefender supports businesses around the globe that are infected by the worm by offering a free and easy-to-use removal tool.”

Conficker is a network worm that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in Windows to spread. Once a system is compromised, the worm disables Windows Update and blocks access to anti-virus websites in order to hinder the user’s attempts to disinfect the machine. The latest version of Conficker is scheduled to activate on April 1, April Fool’s Day.

Additionally, through automatic updates, all BitDefender 2009 products have implemented Conficker detection and removal functionality. Non-BitDefender users can access the tool through http://bdtools.net.

Users can see a demonstration of how to use the BitDefender Conficker removal tool on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Oj01CI0dM.

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For more information or an interview please contact:
Derek Lau
Howorth
Derek@howorth.com.au
(02) 8281 3810