Infected Computers Could Lose Service Monday

Mathematically, the odds are low, but thousands of Internet users face losing service on Monday, the FBI has warned.

A malware attack against computers worldwide discovered more than a year ago is estimated to still affect approximately 64,000 computer users nationwide. A stopgap measure set up by the FBI and a private company utilizing clean servers that protect users from losing service will shut down at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Monday.

"Users whose computers are still infected Monday will lose their ability to go online, and they will have to call their service providers for help deleting the malware and reconnecting to the Internet," according to this Associated Press report.

Most victims don't even know their computers have been infected, although the malicious software probably has slowed their Web surfing and disabled their antivirus software, making their machines more vulnerable to other problems, the AP report said.

Unsure if you're at risk? To check whether a computer is infected, users can visit this website.

The site includes links to respected commercial sites that will run a quick check on the computer, and it also lays out detailed instructions if users want to actually check the computer themselves.