Do you fear your computer is infected with Conficker or Downadup virus? Conficker Working Group has come up with a simple ingenious method that leaves the task of detecting the virus to your eyes--Conficker Eye Chart. If your computer isn't infected, you will see all the images in the chart. Any missing image means you need to find the reason; it might be the Conficker virus (or any other virus or malware).

However, if you are using a proxy server, you will not be able to use this test to make an accurate determination, since Conficker will be unable to block you from viewing the anti-virus sites.

How does this chart work? Conficker virus blocks your access to certain sites, including several anti-virus sites. The image chart includes three images from anti-virus sites. If the Windows is infected with Conficker, you will not get to all the three images in the chart.

How to get rid of Conficker? You can use the freely available Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool that can remove a large number of viruses. You will have to download the tool from a different computer as Conficker won't let you download it. Various anti-virus sites also have tools to detect and remove the virus. For more details, you can read a previous article on downadup worm infection, diagnosis and cure.

Conficker Eye Chart [Conficker Working Group]
Protect yourself from the Conficker computer worm [Microsoft]