Computer security firms are sounding the alarm about a new “Conflicker” virus that makes network computers their “slaves.”

Some think the software worm could try to expand its potential reach tomorrow, April Fools’ Day, no joke.

“It’s definitely serious,” Kevin Haley, director of security response at Symantec, said of the virus thought to be embedded in millions of network computers across the globe.

Security people are closely monitoring the virus, which some have compared to a spy “sleeper cell” that’s simply sitting dormant in computers awaiting its command to cause mischief or even criminal activities, such as stealing bank account data.

Each day, the Conflicker virus, as it’s known, sends out messages to about 500 computer domain names, seeking orders for what to do. Tomorrow, it’s expected to expand that base of inquiries to 50,000.

“A lot of the fear is based on the fact that most people don’t know what it will do,” said Haley. “It’s the anticipation (of the unknown) that’s getting to people.”

But Craig Schmugar, a senior computer threat researcher at McAfee Inc., said the Conflicker threat is “significantly disproportionate” to the attention the virus is getting.

Millions of computers are routinely infected with other viruses, often ones that are potentially nastier than Conflicker.

“The Internet is still going to be around April 2,” said Schmugar.

Haley agreed that, because of precautions taken by security officials, most computers are safe from possible Conflicker infections and damage.

But he said Conflicker needs constant monitoring due to its mysterious tactics and goals.

Courtesy of Bostonherald.com