Conficker Bug Hits University Of Utah Computers

April 12, 2009 1:31 p.m. EST

Salt Lake City, UT (AHN) - The Conficker worm has infected hundreds of personal computers at the University of Utah this week, the school's officials said.

The worm slows computers and steals personal information. It has so far infected mainly the university's three hospitals and its medical, nursing and pharmacy colleges.

Chris Nelson, health sciences spokesman, told the Salt Lake Tribune that patient data and medical records have not been compromised.

Those using Macs are safe, Nelson said, because the worm only infects personal computers.

University staff first became aware that there was an infection Thursday, when Internet and e-mail slowed.

University information technology officials responded by shutting down Internet access at the school's health sciences offices, Nelson said.

Companies worldwide have feared the Conficker worm for more than a year. It was expected to cause problems beginning this month, but it has not surfaced significantly until now, according to local NBC affiliate WKSL.

University IT workers have been working throughout the weekend to rid the system of the infection.