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Virus Author Motives Changing

Posted by Zonk on from the step-five-profit dept.

Tragamor writes "BBC News is reporting that, with the suspected authors behind the zotob virus recently arrested, they are giving insights into the motivation of modern hackers. With the availability of virus sourcecode, authors are spreading to countries which had previously no history of virus origins." From the article: "What the pair were probably taken aback by was the response that the worm generated. Few virus writers now want to hit the front pages, said Mr Hypponen, most prefer to have their creations sneak under the radar, rack up a few thousand unwitting victims who are then milked for money or saleable data. It appears that Mr Essebar was intending to make money several different ways from the people caught out by the Mytob and Zotob viruses he is alleged to have created. "

7 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Finally! by RAMMS+EIN · · Score: 5, Funny

    ``With the availability of virus sourcecode, authors are spreading to countries which had previously no history of virus origins.''

    Finally! The year of open-source on the desktop has come!

    --
    Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
    1. Re:Finally! by ackthpt · · Score: 2, Funny
      Finally! The year of open-source on the desktop has come!

      Yeah, and Microsoft has been so restrictive, only offering shared source. How's a virus/worm author to make a living under those conditions?

      they could start by writing a thank-you note to Bill Gates for spreading the most fertile ground for worms/virii throughout the world...

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    2. Re:Finally! by RAMMS+EIN · · Score: 2, Funny

      ``yeah, but try and get sourceforge to host
      an open source virus?''

      Why not just host the source on your botnet?

      --
      Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
  2. Re:Four-words summary by frankthechicken · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't forget the chicks man, never forget the chicks.

  3. Serious punishments needed by markass530 · · Score: 1, Funny

    I for one, think they need to make an example of every virus writer/distrubter and put them up in a federal pound-you-in-the-ass prison.

  4. All you zealots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    With the availability of virus sourcecode, authors are spreading to countries which had previously no history of virus origins.
    I hope all you zealots finally recognize the evil viral nature of the GPL!
  5. AIDS by RAMMS+EIN · · Score: 2, Funny

    ``AIDS, on the other hand, won't manifest symptoms for years and therefore can travel across great spaces and through community barriers with ease.''

    Err? Does that mean that scores of people in various places and communities are having sex with ease? Why can't I have that!

    --
    Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.