Silent Invasion - The Threat of Conficker from 2008 and the Cost of 880 Billion Yen

Silent Invasion - The Threat of Conficker from 2008 and the Cost of 880 Billion Yen

Conficker, discovered in 2008, is a type of computer virus that exploited vulnerabilities in Windows, spreading quietly through networks and USB drives. This virus used brute-force password attacks, interference with update functions, and encryption of communications to evade detection, making countermeasures difficult.

By 2009, over 9 million computers worldwide and more than 200,000 in Japan were infected, resulting in economic losses amounting to 880 billion yen. Companies, government agencies, hospitals, and universities suffered severe impacts, with some systems ceasing to function. In Japan, JPCERT/CC issued warnings, recommending the use of antivirus software and stronger passwords. Microsoft's update patch adoption rate reached 75%, limiting further damage, but older systems still remain at risk.

Spreading silently and leaving its mark on the world, Conficker serves as a lesson. It is crucial to remember past threats and remain prepared for future dangers.