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Writing Viruses for Fun and Profit

Posted by Hemos on from the insidisous-dependence dept.

JMPrice writes "There's a short article over at zdnet that explores a future synergy between viruses and spam, i.e. international crackdown on spam and open relays makes spammers opt to use infected computers instead as relays, and speculates a relationship between the virus writers and spammers."

12 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Market speak! by T-Kir · · Score: 4, Funny

    future synergy between viruses and spam

    Sounds like something out of Dilbert... time load up the Bullfighter.

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  2. Soblig by gostats · · Score: 3, Funny

    Article: "The virus many suspect to be sending spam is called Sobig"

    Random email: "Please see the attached zip file for details."

    Should I expect to find "herbal remedies" in this zip file?

    .sig
    Like _I_ can be more sarcastic!

  3. Good! by GrouchoMarx · · Score: 3, Funny

    So if virus writers and spammers are the same folks (or even just partners), that makes life so much easier. Only one group of people to have publically drawn and quartered. Saves time and money (and cleanup costs).

    --

    --GrouchoMarx
    Card-carrying member of the EFF, FSF, and ACLU. Are you?

    1. Re:Good! by sICE · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's even worse, i heard the subject of the email sent was "Get a free preview of McAfee PCSecurity Suite -- Complete Protection Against Viruses, Hackers & Identity Thieves"....

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      -- search the web
  4. future README.TXT by Matey-O · · Score: 4, Funny

    Please note, in order for Outlook 20X6 to operate properly, you must first place this workstation on your DMZ for no less than 15 minutes, in order for it to receive IMAP7NukeViagraHGH.D@MM

    This will allow you to have a high speed, reliable, DRM'd Microsoft Email eXPerience! (tm)

    --
    "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus."
  5. Idiocy by 0123456 · · Score: 3, Funny

    That would be great. Suppose my market is being threatened by Megasoft's new Office XYZ product that beats the pants off of mine. All I would need to do is send out spams _advertising_ Office XYZ, and the cops would run over and arrest their CEO and put them out of business. Bwahaha!

  6. surprised by deuist · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think real news here is not that people are writing viri for profit, but that ZDnet is still operating. Seriously, I thought that they went out of business years ago.

  7. Guess this gives a new meaning to... by rediguana · · Score: 3, Funny

    viral marketing! ;)

  8. Of Course Not by Steve+B · · Score: 2, Funny
    you're saying that people who send bulk email should be treated the same as suicide bombers or people who fly planes into buildings?

    Obviously, you shouldn't treat a suicide bomber or a person who flies planes into buildings the same way you should treat a spammer. Being staked to a red ant hill under a desert sun would have no real effect on (the remaining itty bitty pieces of) the former.

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    /. If the government wants us to respect the law, it should set a better example.
  9. Then... by gr8_phk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Then they'll try to sue the anti-virus companies for blocking their advertising.

  10. In Other News.... by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 2, Funny
    Spammers may be unethical and act illegally! More at 11!

    --
    Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  11. Re:What cash flow? by Pantheraleo2k3 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm a 13yo kid with some programming experience, you insensitive clod!

    But you do have a point. Besides, the difference between Outlook and a virus is that a)corporations make you use it b) you have to pay for it c)it's more widespread d)it does more damage.

    Also, most 13yo kids I know hate spam enough not to send any. Not that they have any programming experience