Botnets are a big problem and recently, Microsoft managed to take down one big botnet in an operation worthy of a spy novel, according Tech Flash.

The operation, formerly known as b49, was a three day effort to shut down a majority of Waledac infected computers around the world. A botnet is a network of PCs which have been infected with malicious code that allows to be remotely controlled, sometimes without the user's knowledge.

While many of the computers are no longer under control of the botnet, they are still infected by the original malware and direct Windows users to install a malicious software removal tool.

The best thing users can do to avoid being infected is make your anti-virus software is updated. If you do run across a pop up saying your computer is infected, don't click on it. Clicking will only make the malware spread. Instead, you’ll want to shut down your computer and reboot. After you have restarted your computer, the popup should be gone.

Read the full articleat TechFlash by clicking here.