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Microsoft Sues 117 Phishers

An anonymous reader writes "Earlier this week Microsoft filed 117 John Doe cases today to learn the identity of scam artists who have been targeting its Hotmail and MSN customers in phishing scams, according to a Washington Post story. This is the same tactic the music and motion picture industries have used to mixed success against file-swappers, except in this case the ISPs themselves are some of the biggest targets of phishing scams. The story says the tactic has already worked once for Microsoft; in a case last year where ISP subpoenas led to a kid in Iowa who was caught phishing MSN users from his grandpa's dial-up account. The 21-year-old was ordered to pay Microsoft $3 million, but I doubt his job at Blockbuster is going to make a dent in that debt."

13 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. I got a better idea. by Threatis · · Score: 5, Funny

    lets just instate a cull. give us all "Phishing Hunting" licenses, and let us roam the country side with the weapons of our choice.

    --
    "The beast in me is caged by frail and fragile bars" - Johnny Cash
    1. Re:I got a better idea. by EvanED · · Score: 3, Funny

      There's no such thing! That's a dog licence with the word "dog" crossed out and "phisher" written in in crayon!

  2. People stop posting. by bird603568 · · Score: 1, Funny

    I think its because of all the "joke" posts. Next year I hope this dosen't get repeated because this is a REAL post.

  3. 3million? by odyrithm · · Score: 2, Funny

    "but I doubt his job at Blockbuster is going to make a dent in that debt"

    I think I ow blockbusters about that with all these late returns.. god damn it.

    --
    moo
  4. Re:This isn't an april fools joke guys. by Professor_UNIX · · Score: 2, Funny
    NO. Really. It isn't.

    Microsoft suing 117 Phish fans is not a joke?

  5. Bang the Bum Slowly by Stanistani · · Score: 5, Funny

    It pounds, the drum, the drum, the drum
    The tumbril rolls to its slow beat
    Condemned and damned besot with rum
    the doomed kneels down his doom to meet

    His neck will feel the sharpened blade
    his sand of life drifts thru the sieve
    Fish not in royal ponds or glade
    If long you have a wish to live

    doom to phishers

  6. Hehe by kernel_dan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft doing something for their customers? That cracks me up every time.

    --

    Illegal? Samir, This is America.
  7. Come to think of it.... by toadlife · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...there is some humor in envisioning the look on Microsoft's lawyers when they are awarded a 34th generation tape of Halloween 94', and a half empty bottle of Patchouli Oil.

    --
    I don't always use unix-like operating systems; but when I do, I prefer FreeBSD.
  8. Re:Ummm, did they or didn't they? by marcosdumay · · Score: 2, Funny

    With the massive fraud by the operators of this site today, how do we know one way or the other?

    Wait till the dup tomorrow if it is real.

  9. Re: Ummm, did they or didn't they? by Alwin+Henseler · · Score: 2, Funny
    With the massive fraud by the operators of this site today (..)

    What on earth are you talking about, my dear friend?

    I mean, I used to think that Slashdot was going down the drain with them countless trolls, duped stories, and crazy moderation.

    How wrong I was! (and I hereby sincerely apologize to the editors for not appreciating the true value of their work). Many sites all over the web are posting crazy hoaxes, where you need to Google, or wait a day an re-check, just to find out if it was true or not.

    In contrast, Slashdot stayed close to its roots, and posted a row of quality stories about 'Stuff that matters'. And for a change, moderators outdid themselves to separate good from bad comments, prime example being this story.

    Really, the last few hours have returned my faith in Slashdot as one of THE best tech-related news sites. Thumbs up, and keep 'm coming, Taco!

  10. phishing by Daltorak · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have fifteen Phish concerts shared out over Bittorrent, you insensitive clod!

  11. Re:This isn't an april fools joke guys. by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Microsoft suing 117 Phish fans is not a joke?"

    Nope, dumb phuck.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
  12. So they're suing the guy for 3 million? by AndyChrist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, he'd better get phishing if he wants to pay that bill.