Malware Will Disconnect Thousands From Internet

If you're seeing threatening messages on Facebook that you may lose Internet service on July 9, it’s not a scam.

Tens of thousands of Americans and up to 50 Fortune 500 companies stand to lose Internet service on Monday due to a malware virus that may have covertly infected their computers more than a year ago, the Associated Press notes.

The FBI estimates that some 68,000 American computers are still infected with malware that spread through an advertising scam and allowed an Internet hacker group to control infected machines. The FBI, collaborating with the Estonian police, busted the cyber criminals behind “Operation Ghost Click” last November. At the time, law enforcement officials set up temporary servers to make sure no one lost Internet access. These will be shut down on July 9 at 12:01 a.m. at which time all infected computers will lose Internet access.

More than 277,000 machines worldwide are still infected, although users may not have noticed the relatively minor symptoms, like slowed connection. The company managing the temporary services set up a website where users can run a check on their computer for the malware and follow instructions on how to get rid of it.

Slate's Will Oremus has written a handy guide on how to make sure you don't lose Internet service Monday.