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Linux Virus Alert

marcjw writes: "I don't see many of these (Linux virus alerts). In fact none in the six months or so since I've switched from MS. Maybe that's why this story from newsbytes caught my eye. At any rate, I'm not sure if this poses much of a threat to the general Linux community but it's always best to be forewarned."

25 of 501 comments (clear)

  1. This cracks me up. by JeremyYoung · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...the virus requires users to run an infected program from an account with "root" permission.


    Ya, I run lots of unknown binaries while logged in as root, it's my favorite activity.
    --

    Go Lakers!

    1. Re:This cracks me up. by DocChaos · · Score: 2, Funny

      I run almost every binary I can find while i'm logged in as root.... If im gonna mess something up, im gonna do a damn good job of it....

      --
      DocChaos -------- I may be crazy, but then again I may be crazy.
    2. Re:This cracks me up. by A_Non_Moose · · Score: 3, Funny

      I loose my stuff.

      Proof that information wants to be free.

      Now, if you happened to lose your stuff, that's bad.

      Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

      Lose: as in to misplace, lost, not win.
      Loose: to release, to untighten, relax.
      {where is the Angryflower on this particular topic?}
      .

      --
      Have you read the moderator guidelines? Well, have you, PUNK? (and I want a Karma: Gnarly option)
  2. Windows Compatibility by davidstrauss · · Score: 3, Funny

    A patch that allows the virus to exploit Windows will be released in Service Pack 1 for Windows XP.

  3. It's not a virus, it's stupid. by lostchicken · · Score: 4, Funny

    #!/bin/sh
    cat /dev/urandom > /dev/hda1

    There. It's a virus.

    --
    -twb
    1. Re:It's not a virus, it's stupid. by SEWilco · · Score: 3, Funny

      Another success of open source code. People are improving the code within hours.

  4. MS Plot? by Knunov · · Score: 2, Funny

    Scene: Redmond, Washington - early Saturday evening in a building on the Microsoft campus.

    MS Coder #1: "Dude! We made the front page on Slashdot! Bill is gonna hump our legs for this!"

    MS Coder #2: "Cool! When we finish RST.c we might even make CNN!"

    It could happen...

    Knunov

    --
    Why do users with IDs under 100,000 or over 700,000 usually have the most worthwhile comments?
  5. Loved this part... by Eryq · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unlike some Windows-based viruses that travel like wildfire using vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Outlook e-mail program, the new RST variant is unlikely to spread widely, according to Russell.

    One short sentence to compare and contrast the MS Virus Deployment System with Linux. I also like the part where he says that most Linuxers are more "sophisticated" (must be why our mascot wears a tux).

    --
    I'm a bloodsucking fiend! Look at my outfit!
  6. heh by Order · · Score: 4, Funny

    Linux, an alternative to Microsoft's Windows.

    Heh, couldn't they just write "An operating system"?

    --

    I am a genius; therefore, you suck.
    1. Re:heh by Dr.+Awktagon · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yeah I noticed that too, wtf?.

      The movie star was seen drinking Jolt Cola (an alternative to Pepsi-Cola's Pepsi).

    2. Re:heh by protonman · · Score: 2, Funny

      No they don't. If people don't understand what an OS is, they can't *know* what MS Windows is.

      Joe User: What's an OS?
      You: It's like Microsoft Windows.
      Joe: Ah.Ok.
      You: So what does it do then?
      Joe: Whatcha mean?
      You: What does an OS do?
      Joe: You mean, like, what Windows does?
      You: Jeah. What does Windows do?
      Joe: Eh, like, eh... crash?
      You: Oh well, close enough...

      --
      The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.
  7. DOS 7 virus alert! by startled · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do NOT run "deltree /Y *"-- this is a very dangerous trojan that could potentially destroy your system!

    The worst part is, it's already infected 100% of all DOS 7 systems.

    (Is is just be, or does it seem silly to give any time to a "virus" that requires you to run a binary while rooted?)

    1. Re:DOS 7 virus alert! by startled · · Score: 3, Funny

      I was going to debate you, but then I remembered it never makes sense to argue with people who are only interested flaming, not rational discussion. If you ever want anyone to take you seriously, try omitting "If not, then shut up" from your usual reply.

      On the "silver lining" side, I get to further test out these new slashdot personalized mod features. Sweet!

  8. Success of an OS means... by cliffy2000 · · Score: 3, Funny

    More virii. Glad that no one likes the Mac but me and two other people... Sevendust is the last major threat we had...

  9. Re:OpenBSD.. by The+FooMiester · · Score: 5, Funny

    .. runs your Linux binaries (if you can't get source)..
    .. runs your FreeBSD binaries (if you can't get source)..
    .. remember most "Linux" code is just generic UNIX C..
    .. Be safe, run OpenBSD.


    Whereas, I'm working on porting this virus to NetBSD, and putting it in the pkgsrc collection, so it can be enjoyed on a VAX, an Amiga, hey, you name it! You too can feel "cool" when your alpha gets infected. Who says the only people who get viruses are those running intel boxen with windows!

    And for the netBSD/toaster port, I guess I'll just have to make it burn the toast on one side, and leave the other side raw.

    --
    The previous has been a secret message to my comrades.
  10. Re:Pretty crazy stuff by Arandir · · Score: 3, Funny

    If people are going to downloading the uploaded software, then not scanning it for virii (trojans or anything else for that matter) is completely irresponsible.

    I now know not to trust Sourceforge anymore. If I don't have the time to audit the code I won't download it.

    --
    A Government Is a Body of People, Usually Notably Ungoverned
  11. I wont be running it!! by gorre · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who would run a virus that is distributed as a binary only? Everyone knows no self respecting linux user uses software unless the source is available! Until they release this virus under the GPL I for one will be staying well clear of it.

    --
    "Madness is something rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, peoples, ages it is the rule." -- Nietzsche
  12. I'm not a hacker ! by Tusaki · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm a security researcher.

  13. About time... by 42forty-two42 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Finally, the most popular genre of windows software has been ported to Linux! Goodbye, WINE!

  14. Looney Tunes by gozie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Who's your favorite Looney Tunes character?
    Bug's Bunny
    Daffy Duck
    or
    Elmer FUD

  15. Linux has always been infected with a virus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's called the GPV (General Public Virus), AKA the GPL.

  16. Re:The "root" issue by archen · · Score: 3, Funny

    that's why I change the colors on the root shell to be as painful as possible. Lots of bright green does the trick. You tend to never forget your root that way, and try to stay away from being logged in as root.

    or you just use 'su' more often..

  17. Re:Running binaries as root by sunhou · · Score: 3, Funny

    How many times have you run "make install" as root?

    No longer. You guys have got me so paranoid about running things as root now, I made a new account called "safe" to safely install programs. Although I found I had to make the UID of that account be 0 in order for it to work correctly...

  18. Re:They're Trying So Hard... by Andrew+Dvorak · · Score: 3, Funny

    And if it were actually a threat, then maybe this might be a noteworthy story. But nobody uses Linux anymore!

  19. Re:microsoft perhaps? by Trelane · · Score: 2, Funny

    Heh. If you see the string "Linux engineers are weenies" or "seineew era sreenigne xuniL" in it, then let slip the dogs of conspiracy theories. ;)

    --

    --
    Given enough personal experience, all stereotypes are shallow.