The following steps should prevent infection by Conficker.

#1. Run Microsoft Update. Conficker will infect vulnerable computers by connecting to them remotely via the Internet. So you should first try to patch Windows before removing Conficker otherwise your machine will quickly become infected again. It's very important to install Microsoft patch 958644. This patch fixes a hole in Windows' Remote Procedure Call, which Conficker uses to invade your computer.

Find the Microsoft Update (or Windows Update) on your PC's Start menu or visit the Microsoft Update page on the Web. Use Internet Explorer when doing this. Or go here for Microsoft updates; http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

If Microsoft Updates are successfully or not (a bad sign) move onto step 2.
#2. Attempt to update your third-party security software. Having the latest antivirus files will help get rid of Conficker and any other malware. Use your security software menu to update to the latest files.

• Now if the updated security software has cleaned up your PC, but you couldn't previously get the Microsoft updates retry Step 1 and run Microsoft updates.

• If you couldn't access your third-party security software vendor's site go to #3.

• If you successfully finished #1 and #2, you can most likely skip #3 and go to #4.

#3 (optional). Run a standalone Conficker removal tool, if need be. The Conficker Working Group comprised of Microsoft, Cisco, SRI, F-Secure, Kaspersky, and others have a list of certified detection and repair tools, any of which should remove Conficker. 
Go here; http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=ANY.RepairTools

However most the links in the Working Group's list are inaccessible on a Conficker-infected PC. An infected PC can't reach the Working Group's site, because it has its URL blocked by Conflicker.

Note; BitDefender has set up a new web site so infected users can download free Conficker disinfectant utilities. This site, BDTools.net, is not blocked by the worm yet. The site offers various options. http://www.bdtools.net/

If you cannot access BDTools.net or other security sites from your PC, find a machine that isn't infected and use it to download tools. Do not use a search engine to look for removal tools, many of which are sites that will provide supposed solutions that will in fact futher infect your PC. Only download removal tools from the Working Group's certified list. Put the files on a CD or USB drive, and then use that to run the software on the infected PC.

• Now after removing Conficker, if you couldn't complete #1 and #2 successfully, go back and finish those steps updating Windows and your security software.

• Once you have finished #1 and #2, move onto #4

#4. Run Secunia's Software Inspector to update missing application patches. Third-party applications, especially media players, are more likely to suffer from security holes than even Windows itself is. Secunia.com offers a free scan, telling you if your PC has an insecure version of an application that has a security patch available.

Secunia Software Inspector offers three options, a free online scan, a free download for individual users and a LAN utility for IT admins. Use one of the free options there are all you need. Here's the link; http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/

Update your defenses now before April 1 rather than waiting. Who knows what bad things will occur?

In a few hours or days at most new instructions from the worm's creator will most likely disable a PC's access to BDTools, Secunia, and other sites that were not on Conficker's original block list.

 Some security experts are speculated that an updated Conficker will prevent infected PCs from installing MS08-067. Without boring you to death let me just say that will be a big problem for many PC owners.

P. S. While I've got your attention, when was the last time you backed up all of your files & settings? It your computer crashes you will most certainly wish you had! Do it now!!!