The worm takes advantage of a bug in Windows that’s why it is able to infect a computer by just going through the network. You can also get infected through memory cards or USB thumb drives.

At the moment, it seems that infections of this worm from USB or memory cards were very rare and most of the infections we saw were coming from network.

To get rid of the worm, please follow these easy steps:

1. Download the Microsoft MSRT* which can be downloaded from this link:
   http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en
2. Run the Microsoft MSRT* and follow the steps of the tool until it is complete
3. Run your favorite anti-virus software and do a full and complete scan of your hard drives for full removal of traces and prevent further infections

*MSRT = Malicious Software Removal Tool

Updated on March 24, 2009

Thanks George for pointing out another tool from Symantec. Here is to reiterate that another option and add it to our recommended tools for removing Conficker Worm. Below is the link to download:
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-011316-0247-99