By Chris Sheppard
csheppard@abc6.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/abc6
WARWICK, R.I. - Officials are urging Rhode Islanders to find out if their machines are infected with a virus perpetuated by an major Internet fraud ring that was broken up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation late last year.
It's really easy to do: just go to http://www.dns-ok.us/
When you go to this website, the first thing you should see is an picture with either a green or a red background.
If the background is the color green, your computer is not affected and you won't lose access.
If the background color is red, your computer is infected and you will lose Internet access. If you have a red background, contact your Internet service provider to find out what to do.
According to the FBI, criminals used malicious Internet servers to infect "millions of computers worldwide with a virus that enabled the thieves to manipulate the multi-billion dollar Internet advertising industry".
While the FBI has been able to temporarily direct computers to replacement servers since the sting, this action did not remove the malware from already-infected computers, which still need to be repaired, according to a press release sent out from the office of Congressman Jim Langevin.
"These types of issues are only going to increase as our society relies more and more on the Internet, so it is a reminder that everyone can do their part by practicing good computer hygiene," Langevin said. "I urge Rhode Islanders to check if they have been impacted by this virus."
