Conficker worm: are you ready?

The Conficker worm will spring into action on 1 April and security experts are advising all surfers to make sure their computers are protected.

Several companies offer a Conficker worm removal tool and detection tools that you can use for free.

Anyone with a Windows-based PC should make sure that they have the latest Microsoft updates installed by visiting the Windows Update website.

Security researchers at Intego have said that there is no variant of the Conficker worm that could affect Mac OS X-based computers yet, but is continuing to monitor the situation.

Though there is no telling what will happen when Conficker activates, it is thought to have infected millions of PCs worldwide and could cause massive security headaches for businesses and home users.

However, many security experts have played down the significance of the 1 April activation date, saying that it will not have catastrophic consequences for the web as some commentators have predicted.

Read Web User's guide to security software

But it shouldn't be dismissed as an April Fool's joke either, experts said.

"Online threat history tells us that trigger/activation dates of equally hyped malware have come and gone without much fanfare," said a Trend Micro spokesman.

"Whether or not 1 April will play out to be D-Day, the security industry will be keeping an eye out for any malicious activity," he continued.

Web User advises that you should ensure you have up-to-date security software installed on your PC and to avoid clicking on links and opening attachments in emails from unknown senders at all times.