The SmartSwipe Online Security, Shopping and Technology Blog

Here is a simple test, (courtesy of lastwatchdog.com) to find out whether or not you are already infected with Conficker, aka the April Fool's Day worm.

Try clicking Microsoft.com. Then try Symantec.com. Finally, try McAfee.com. If you can open these websites, then you are not infected with Conficker – it has a redirect built in to keep you from opening these sites. However, if your browser will not let you access any of these websites, chances are you are already infected with Conficker.

By now you have probably heard about the impending April Fool's day worm that, according to CNN, threatens to "overwhelm and shut down Web sites, or monitor a person's keyboard strokes to collect private information like passwords or bank account information".

The thought of Y2K, however, is probably nothing more than a faded memory.

Last week I was fortunate enough to catch a live presentation on Internet Marketing & Cyber Security from one of the icons in the Canadian Tech Industry - Steve Dotto

The event was graciously hosted by the Comox Valley Women's Business Network (www.cvwbn.org) in Courtney, BC. With Steve Dotto's wide popularity and appeal, the CVBWN decided to open this presentation to the public and I'll bet they're glad they did. Tickets were sold out and the couple of hundred or so business people, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts in attendance were offered an informative and entertaining 90 minutes of 'signature' Steve.