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Software Turns Google into a Virus Scanner

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the safe-to-click dept.

Kfleming writes "Websense, a security vendor, has developed software that uses a binary search feature built into Google to hunt down malware. Using this technique researchers at Websense have uncovered over 2,000 websites hosting malware, and are also able to detect legitimate sites that have been hacked. Could this binary search feature also be used to exploit Google and trick users into downloading malware?"

11 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. what a good idea by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Funny

    You don't say?

    --
    This guy's the limit!
  2. For his next project... by Ariane+6 · · Score: 5, Funny

    He plans on using Google as an means to track down dupes on Slashdot!

  3. interesting ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What is this google and where can i download it?

    -Sj53

  4. URL Turns google into a dupe-checker by rylin · · Score: 4, Funny

    URL Turns google into a dupe-checker

  5. Malware by the+linux+geek · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Something that these 'security experts' seem to not understand is that the average user is ignorant of how computers/software work. Most users can't even be bothered to set up a password for their root/admin account. No amount of clever software is going to truly prevent the average user from loading his machine up with some form of malware. A step in the right direction would be simple things, like running as a non-root user by default.

  6. "Binary search" ?! by shreevatsa · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not only is this a dupe, it is also confusing that they use "binary search" to mean "searching inside binary files", and not binary search in its usual sense .

  7. the real story is .. by rs232 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The real story is why are we still getting 'Internet viruses' in the latter half of 2006 and why don't these 'security vendors' produce a soluton to the problem.

    --
    davecb5620@gmail.com
  8. The linked article is just looking for ad revenue by Goldenhawk · · Score: 4, Informative

    This looks suspiciously like self-promotion, trying to win a few dollars from Google AdSense placement. Yes, folks, Google can be used to make money. Who woulda known?

    Skip the linked article and go straight to the source:
    http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,126371,0 0.asp

    All the link does is duplicate the story summary, and then link to the PCWorld article.

    --
    --Brandon / Split Infinity Music

  9. So... by multipartmixed · · Score: 4, Funny
    ...they are using the SOAP API to find virus-laden files.

    Theres gotta be a joke in there somewhere..

    "In Soviet Russia, SOAP cleans your computer!"

    No wait.

    "I for one welcome our freshly-washed overlords!"

    Crap, that doesn't really work, either.

    "Let's pour hot SOAP down Natalie Portman's pants!"

    Hmm. I wouldn't mind doing that, but it's not particularly funny.

    "Netcraft confirms it, SOAP can eliminate viruses!"

    "Hey, Goatse man, did you lose this?"

    .....ah, SCREW it. I have better things to with my time than to write comedy. Stephen King died today, and there are 300 victims of a Sri-Lankan Tsunami to worry about!

    --

    Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
  10. Re:What about dups? by bostonsoxfan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well if you put enough stuff on the internets the tubes will get clogged and you won't get your internets till today (Which was sent out three days ago of course.)

  11. Note to the editors by Spackler · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Actually, a question:

    Editors: Do you read Slashdot?

    Sure, its flamebait, but this is a joke sometimes.