The Conficker worm is slowly being activated according to security experts, weeks after being dismissed as a false alarm. Symantec Security Response Team reported that Conficker, also known as Downadup or Kido, is quietly turning thousands of PCs into spambots and installing spyware.

Conficker installs a second virus, known as Waledac, that sends out email spam without knowledge of the PC’s owner, along with a fake anti-spyware program, Weafer claims.

The Waledac virus recruits the PCs into a second botnet that has existed for several years and specializes in distributing even more spam.