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Microsoft Reward Leads to Arrest of Sasser Suspect

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the thats-pretty-cool dept.

tritone writes "According to this article on CNET, it was a reward from Microsoft that led to the arrest of the perpertrator of the Sasser Windows Worm. This is the first success for Microsoft's Antivirus Award Program, a $5 million fund to reward people for coming forward with information about those who release major worms and viruses."

8 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. I wish... by zaunuz · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...that MS would hand out those rewards to those who turned in people that used pirated versions of their software. Not that i care about Microsoft piracy at all, but I know a few assholes, and I could need the money.

    --
    this is probably the most boring sig in the world
  2. Note to self... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


    Don't go bragging about your next virus release.

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    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  3. That depends... by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    The $5 Million reward is only payable in Vouchers for Microsoft Software.

  4. More validation of Microsoft's central philosophy: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Specifically: You can buy anything.

  5. Business model . . . by Idou · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. Write worm
    2. Find someone in severe financial trouble
    3. Have that person release the worm from home computer
    4. Turn that person in and collect the reward
    5. Place 75% in a high interest foreign account and keep the rest
    6. After the guy gets out of jail, send him a key to a safety deposit with all the information he needs to start a new life
    7. Profit

    --
    Sdelat' Ameriku velikoy Snova!
    1. Re:Business model . . . by ion++ · · Score: 5, Funny

      The information in the safety deposit is a note saying:

      1. Write worm
      2. Find someone in severe financial trouble
      3. Have that person release the worm from home computer
      4. Turn that person in and collect the reward
      5. Place 75% in a high interest foreign account and keep the rest
      6. After the guy gets out of jail, send him a key to a safety deposit with all the information he needs to start a new life
      7. Profit

  6. Good like the lesser evil? by Clinoti · · Score: 5, Funny
    Other people are not happy that this guy was caught because you have to subtract the disappointment from the companies that profit from viruses, and adware, and spyware. Just another angle to look at.

    I wonder if MS can keep up this effort and if we'll eventually start to see sponsored virii added to the real TCO for windows OS'. Oh wait.

    --

    Let's keep in mind that patents are in place to keep lawyers employed and keep them litigating. -CatGrep

  7. Actually . . . by Idou · · Score: 4, Funny

    "A: release it to the news/public and risk MS ire
    or
    B: Submit it confidentially to the MS bug track for a hefty reward"

    That system already exists.It is called "Black Mail."

    --
    Sdelat' Ameriku velikoy Snova!