Fight Virus With Virus?

Insanik writes "I am not an expert with internet worms like Code Red. However, I am curious if it would be possible to create a friendly worm/virus/whatever that would fight the original by using the same security holes. For instance, I read that Code Red II opens a back door. Why not have another virus that exploited the back door, closed it, then started sending itself to other servers for a certain period of time? " The submittor raises an interesting question - is this possible? I would guess so, in theory. And while we're working on Code Red, can we send a large man to the home of my latest Sircam senders and politely "ask" them to stop clicking on virii?

Comments

Anti-Sircam Virus

[zpengo]

Why not take the Symantec Sircam cleanup utility, patch it to make it self-propagating, and then e-mail it out with the message "Hi there! I send you this because you're a stupid fscking idiot. :)"

Re:Its entirely possible

[ryanvm]

I'm sure folks will scream its illegal and it probably is - but can't a case be made for 'self defense' I mean if someone brandishes a gun at me am I not within my rights to shoot them or at least take their gun away?

The problem is that 'self defense' only exists in a situation where your personal safety is at risk - like the above scenario.

It's like asking: If someone is breaking into your house to use your coffee maker, are you allowed to kick down their door and throw away all their coffee?

Basically, you can't violate someone else's rights unless your own safety is in danger.

Re:Its entirely possible

[Chris Burke]

It's like asking: If someone is breaking into your house to use your coffee maker, are you allowed to kick down their door and throw away all their coffee?

That's a great analogy. Mostly because of the image it conjurs.