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Can the Malware Industry be Trusted?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the surely-you-jest dept.

Joe Barr writes "Is the entire anti-virus / malware industry as rotten as it appears? I started digging into it as a result of the recent lame, unsubstantiated assertions of viral threats to Linux by Kaspersky Lab, but the practice doesn't seem to start or end with them. Who knows, maybe it's pandemic in that entire segment of the IT industry."

8 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Bad title! by truthsearch · · Score: 4, Funny

    Exactly. I read the title and thought of course we can't trust the people who write malware... they write malware!!

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  2. Gadzooks! by goldaryn · · Score: 5, Funny

    Every year, US-Cert produces huge fireworks in the security trade press with their annual summary of misinformation about security flaws. [...] The summary gives a total for flaws found in Windows and another total for flaws found in Unix and Linux. Last year, those totals were 812 for Windows and 2,312 for Unix/Linux.

    Oh ****! Quick, someone tell me how to upgrade to this "Windows" thing!

    1. Re:Gadzooks! by jrumney · · Score: 2, Funny
      Last year, those totals were 812 for Windows and 2,312 for Unix/Linux.

      There's a simple reason for the difference between general perception (at least on Slashdot) and the raw statistics above. If a vulnerability is found in openssh, it counts as a flaw for Linux, for BSD, and for any Unix flavours that ship openssh by default. If a vulnerability is found in the ssh client that ships with Windows... oh wait.

  3. Re:gee... by Tackhead · · Score: 3, Funny
    > An industry blowing problems up to be bigger than they seem in order to sell more product? Conspiracy!

    No, that's Government. (Wait, there's a difference?)

  4. Can they be trusted? by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sure.

    OK if I install this spyware in your computer and just backup your credit card numbers for you without your permission?

    Thanks.

    Oh, no, that's ok, you don't have to answer. We'll do it anyway.

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    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  5. In the news by 955301 · · Score: 4, Funny

    - The malware industry cannot be trusted to report when things are improving or a better alternative to their bread and butter os exists.

    - Doctors poor at telling hypochondriac when there is nothing wrong with them.

    - Car companies not reliable source of information about bicycles and public transit.

    - Lawyers cannot be trusted to create legislation that doesn't criminalize everything.

    - Politicians appear to be lying or misleading to get elected.

    - Wolves unwilling to notify sheep in advance of attack.

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    You are checking your backups, aren't you?
  6. Re:Bad title! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

    Next on Slashdot.. does that mugger demanding your wallet at knifepoint really have your best interests at heart? Stay tuned.

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  7. Re:gee... by tnk1 · · Score: 3, Funny
    No, that's Government. (Wait, there's a difference?)

    That's like saying there's no difference between the organ grinder and his trained monkey. Of course, there is a difference. One of them dances around, makes monkey noises, and steals stuff from you for the benefit of the other.