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BBC Hijacks 22,000 PCs In Botnet Demonstration

An anonymous reader writes "'[The BBC] managed to acquire its own low-value botnet — the name given to a network of hijacked computers — after visiting chatrooms on the internet. The programme did not access any personal information on the infected PCs. If this exercise had been done with criminal intent it would be breaking the law. But our purpose was to demonstrate botnets' collective power when in the hands of criminals.' The BBC performed a controlled DDoS attack, 'then ordered its slave PCs to bombard its target site with requests for access to make it inaccessible.'"

11 of 457 comments (clear)

  1. why use botnet by fredan · · Score: 5, Funny

    when you can use slashdot!

    1. Re:why use botnet by Spazztastic · · Score: 5, Funny

      when you can use slashdot!

      Well, a botnet is probably faster. By the time your article gets through the submission queue the target would probably have gone offline along with the sun burning out.

      --
      Posts not to be taken literally. Almost everything is sarcasm.
    2. Re:why use botnet by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

      The botnet is not stronger. But it is quicker. Easier. More seductive.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    3. Re:why use botnet by Piranhaa · · Score: 5, Funny

      This demonstration never really took place. They made up a bogus story that will get Slashdot to DoS the site for them.

    4. Re:why use botnet by PsychoElf · · Score: 4, Funny

      I dunno...I'm sure most people on here are pretty quick and easy.

  2. Re:Breaking the law by jeffmeden · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't worry, it was a "low value" botnet... That makes it OK.

  3. Re:Breaking the law by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's an electrically charged net that we use to catch runaway robots. Like the Ethernet we use to catch the EtherBunny.

    --
    "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
  4. In other news... by Dishwasha · · Score: 4, Funny

    the notorious underground computer hacking group self-labeled /. deploys over 30,000 Anonymous Cowards to take down the BBC news website by maliciously posting a link to this news article.

  5. Re:Breaking the law by Gryften · · Score: 5, Funny

    The EtherBunny is the one that runs around anaesthetizing kids to commemorate the ressurection of Jesus, right?

  6. Re:Breaking the law by yo_tuco · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I don't know much about the laws, but it is illegal, isn't it?"

    It is legal if you wear a suit-n-tie and work in a corporate office. But if you wear a tee-shirt working from your basement, you're under arrest for unauthorized access.

  7. Re:Breaking the law by ciderVisor · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's more like eating a nectarine and marvelling at how juicy and delicious it is, then realising that it's not a nectarine you're eating but a human head !

    --
    Squirrel!