Microsoft has introduced a new way to analyze your system for issues and offer advice for correcting them.

With one click, Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services will detect problems on your machine and automatically fix any common problems that are found. Check back often as we are adding new Fix it diagnostic solutions all the time!

New diagnose and repair solutions

• Windows Vista Aero Glass visual effects are not working
  Automatically diagnose and repair problems when the visual Aero Glass effects, themes, and transparencies are not working on your computer.
• Printing problems and printing errors
  Automatically diagnose and repair when you cannot print, or for problems installing a printer, connecting to a network printer and related errors.
• Your CD or DVD drive cannot read or write media
  Automatically diagnose and repair problems with your CD or DVD drive when trying to read or burn media in Windows Vista.
• Hardware devices not detected or not working
  Automatically diagnose and repair problems when the device manager does not detect your hardware, audio, USB and other devices, or when your devices are disabled or not working.
• Problems with sound and audio or no sound
  Automatically diagnose and repair problems with sound and audio on your computer or when your computer does not play sound.

(Note: You can only run this using Internet Explorer 7 or 8. It does not support Firefox or other non-MS browser.)

(Thanks to Greg Duncan and Corrine at Security Garden for the link)

Surely by now you’ve heard of the potential threat by the Conficker.B worm. Here’s what Microsoft has to say and what they suggest to avoid infection and what to do if you think you may be infected.

Aliases:
TA08-297A (other)
CVE-2008-4250 (other)
VU827267 (other)
Win32/Conficker.A (CA)
Mal/Conficker-A (Sophos)
Trojan.Win32.Agent.bccs (Kaspersky)
W32.Downadup.B (Symantec)
Confickr (other)

Worm:Win32/Conficker.B is a worm that infects other computers across a network by exploiting a vulnerability in the Windows Server service (SVCHOST.EXE). If the vulnerability is successfully exploited, it could allow remote code execution when file sharing is enabled. It may also spread via removable drives and weak administrator passwords. It disables several important system services and security products.

Microsoft strongly recommends that users apply the update referred to in Security Bulletin MS08-067 immediately.

Microsoft also recommends that users ensure that their network passwords are strong to prevent this worm from spreading via weak administrator passwords.

How do I know if my computer is infected?

System Changes

The following system changes may indicate the presence of this malware:

• The following services are disabled or fail to run:
Windows Update Service
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Windows Defender
Windows Error Reporting Services

• Some accounts may be locked out due to the following registry modification, which may flood the network with connections:
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
“TcpNumConnections” = ”0×00FFFFFE”

• Users may not be able to connect to websites or online services that contain the following strings:
virus
spyware
malware
rootkit
defender
microsoft
symantec
norton
mcafee
trendmicro
sophos
panda
etrust
networkassociates
computerassociates
f-secure
kaspersky
jotti
f-prot
nod32
eset
grisoft
drweb
centralcommand
ahnlab
esafe
avast
avira
quickheal
comodo
clamav
ewido
fortinet
gdata
hacksoft
hauri
ikarus
k7computing
norman
pctools
prevx
rising
securecomputing
sunbelt
emsisoft
arcabit
cpsecure
spamhaus
castlecops
threatexpert
wilderssecurity
windowsupdate

Recovery Instructions

Microsoft strongly recommends that users apply the update referred to in Security Bulletin MS08-067immediately.

To detect and remove this threat run a full-system scan with an up-to-date antivirus product such as the Microsoft online scanner (http://safety.live.com). For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/vista.mspx.

Note: Computers infected by Conficker may be unable to connect to web sites related to security applications and services that may otherwise assist in the removal of this worm (for example, downloading antivirus updates may fail). In this case users will need to use an uninfected computer in order to download any appropriate updates or tools and then transfer these to the infected computer.

Microsoft Help and Support have provided a detailed guide to removing a Conficker.B infection from an affected computer, either manually or by using the MSRT (Malicious Software Removal Tool).

For detailed instructions on how to manually remove Conficker.B, view the following article using an uninfected computer:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962007 – Virus alert for Win32/Conficker.B and manual removal instructions

Additional information on deploying MSRT in an enterprise environment can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/891716 – Deployment of MSRT in an enterprise environment

Preventing infection

Take the following steps to help prevent infection on your system:

• Enable a firewall on your computer.
• Get the latest computer updates for all your installed software, including Security Bulletin MS08-067.
• Use up-to-date antivirus software.
• Use caution when opening attachments and accepting file transfers.
• Use caution when clicking on links to web pages.
• Protect yourself against social engineering attacks.

(Source-Microsoft)