Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Security Researcher Chases Virus Maker Off the Net

Posted by Zonk on from the i-didn't-know-we-could-do-that dept.

An anonymous reader writes "There is a great writeup over on CNET covering the pursuit of a virus writer who created a fake Grand Theft Auto game, crippling PCs by causing them to endlessly reboot. Despite the police apparently not being very interested, a security researcher pursued his man anyway, culminating in a teary eyed 'I'm leaving the internet' post from the virus writer himself. Awesome stuff, and one in the eye for the bad guys (for once)."

19 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. I prefer Apple's approach by soft_guy · · Score: 4, Funny

    They just send someone to do the hit on the virus writer.

    --
    Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
    1. Re:I prefer Apple's approach by JudgeFurious · · Score: 1, Funny

      I'd prefer Apple's approach even more if they really did it.

      I'm serious. I think the act of writing a virus or piece of malware should result in the aquisition of a .45 caliber sized hole in the forehead. There's nothing wrong with these people that I couldn't fix in about 10 minutes with a roofing hammer.

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
    2. Re:I prefer Apple's approach by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm serious. I think the act of writing a virus or piece of malware should result in the aquisition of a .45 caliber sized hole in the forehead. There's nothing wrong with these people that I couldn't fix in about 10 minutes with a roofing hammer.

      Why not let the punishment fit the crime? They give you a data-scrambling virus, dose them up with mercury. They give you a virus that infects others, we give them herpes. Etc, etc...

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:I prefer Apple's approach by JContad · · Score: 1, Funny

      ...Except that I would like to be in a position where there's a risk of getting Herpes.

      For once.

      Please.

      --
      Hopscotch - an online comic.
    4. Re:I prefer Apple's approach by Dahamma · · Score: 3, Funny

      They give you a virus that infects others, we give them herpes.

      You are volunteering to give him herpes? That's a brave admission, man.

    5. Re:I prefer Apple's approach by giminy · · Score: 4, Funny

      If you think a computer virus author will actually get the chance to spread herpes, you haven't met very many computer virus authors. Unless, y'know, transferring herpes from his genitals to his hands counts as "spreading."

      (Just doing my part to eliminate "Hackers are cool" from the dumbest ideas list...).

      --
      The Right Reverend K. Reid Wightman,
  2. Re:"i'm leaving the internet" Yeah, right. by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    As any long-time denizen of BBSes or MUDs can tell you, every time someone posts that they are leaving it is always legit, and they never, ever come back.

  3. Re:I, for one, welcome our... by ChromeAeonium · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm tired of hearing that meme. I'm leaving the internet forever!

  4. Re:LAME? by penp · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, it was designed as a fake Grand Theft Auto game... It doesn't sound all that creative, though. I think a better "virus" would be making you actually drink coffee with your girlfriend(s) in GTA.

  5. Re:What a whiner! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Seriously though, I can't imagine just "leaving the internet," for any reason whatsoever. Does that make you more or less pathetic?
  6. Re:"i'm leaving the internet" Yeah, right. by wamerocity · · Score: 4, Funny
    actually, I am proud to say when I was 14, I made that declaration on the "BBN" a once-popular BBS in Salt Lake City, that I was going to leave forever and I did. I never logged onto another BBS again. Unfortunately, the benefits of it weren't as I intended (hoping for myself to go out and get a "real" life), as I made-out with WAY more girls I met online than I did offline in the immediate future after I left. Oh well.

    Now I have slashdot and I'm right back where I started, except there aren't a lot of easy slashdot girls... hmmm...

    --
    "Thank you for using Stop-n-Drop, America's favorite suicide booth since 2008"
  7. Re:Not a virus by brunascle · · Score: 3, Funny

    just a script kiddy? i wouldve expected more from someone who TYPES IN ALL CAPS

  8. Re:"i'm leaving the internet" Yeah, right. by Stanistani · · Score: 2, Funny

    When he comes back he will be welcomed with open arms - and a rock in each hand.

    --
    You can't talk about Wikipedia's flaws on Wikipedia
  9. Re:"i'm leaving the internet" Yeah, right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    dude; nailing BBS chicks is nothing to brag about...

  10. Re:What a whiner! by UbuntuDupe · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, based on the tone, it probably just means he's leaving AOL. So I believe it ;-)

    --
    Apology to Ubuntu forum.
  11. Re:"i'm leaving the internet" Yeah, right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now I have slashdot and I'm right back where I started, except there aren't a lot of easy slashdot girls... hmmm...
    The qualifier is completely superfluous in this context!
  12. Never again by Drunkulus · · Score: 3, Funny


    Oh my head! I'll never drink again.

  13. Re:What a whiner! by wvmarle · · Score: 2, Funny

    No matter wat I'm sure it makes him more or less pathetic.

  14. Re:What a whiner! by tehcyder · · Score: 2, Funny

    Seriously though, I can't imagine just "leaving the internet," for any reason whatsoever.
    Dying?
    --
    To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it