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Slate On Worms That Plug Security Holes

Posted by timothy on from the anti-missile-missile dept.

gwernol writes "Slate has a well-written article on 'white knight" worms like Nachi that attempt to automatically patch security holes; Nachi try to patch the hole that MyDoom exploits. The article calls for Google and others to incent White Hat programmers to create better White Knights. But are 'good viruses' really a good idea? Nachi created almost as much bandwidth congestion as MyDoom. Do we really want programs jumping onto our systems and 'fixing' them without permission? What about a socially engineered worm that claims to be doing good?"

5 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. if it wasnt for all the network traffic by sgbett · · Score: 0, Funny

    it would have been 1st post.

    --
    Invaders must die
  2. Re:There is no "good virus". by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    that'd be superdoubleplus bad.

  3. That's just not acceptable by hdparm · · Score: 1, Funny

    Whoever tries to muck around other people's computers should be prosecuted and punished. Not doing any damage? I don't care. What's next - random passers by jumping through my window to turn off the light I left on when I went out?

  4. TMBG said it best by I+don't+want+to+spen · · Score: 2, Funny
    From Dr. Worm

    I'm not a real doctor but I am a real worm

    --
    Don't go to a brothel if you want to buy broth
  5. Re:No. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Remember, surf without rhythym and you won't attract the worm.