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Researchers are hoping that a potential April Fool’s computer worm called the Conficker.c, that is supposed to hit computers on April 1, turns out to be a hoax. Computer users will be unaware that Conficker.c has infected their machine.

Conficker.c is a worm, a malicious program that is already believed to have hit up to ten million computers. Don DeBolt, director of threat research for CA, a New York-based IT and software company, says that on April 1^st a master computer is scheduled to gain control of these zombie machines.

It is reported that the program could delete all of the files on your computer, then use zombie PCs that are controlled by a master computer to overwhelm and shut down web sites or monitor a person’s keyboard strokes in an effort to collect private information such as passwords or bank information. The worm is also supposed to stop windows from performing automatic updates that could prevent damage to the infected computer.

A group who calls itself the Conficker Cabal is trying to track the author of the worm, but doubt that the author will ever be found.

Microsoft says that it “is actively working with the industry to mitigate the spread of the worm.” They also say that users who have not gotten the latest Windows updates should go to http://safety.live.com