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What a Hacked PC Can Be Used For
An anonymous reader points out that the Security Fix blog is running a feature looking at the different ways hacked/cracked computers can be abused by cyber scammers. "Computer users often dismiss Internet security best practices because they find them inconvenient, or because they think the rules don't apply to them. Many cling to the misguided belief that because they don't bank or shop online, that bad guys won't target them. The next time you hear this claim, please refer the misguided person to this blog post, which attempts to examine some of the more common — yet often overlooked — ways that cyber crooks can put your PC to criminal use."
Based on what I see in movies, they can be used to blow things up, crash alien space ships and steal Sandra Bullocks identity.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
A computer worm that spreads through low security networks, memory sticks, and PCs without the latest security updates is posing a growing threat to users blitheringly stupid enough to still think Windows is not ridiculously and unfixably insecure by design.
Despite many years' warnings that Microsoft regards security as a marketing problem and has only ever done the absolute minimum it can get away with, millions of users who click on any rubbish they see in the hope of pictures of female tennis stars having wardrobe malfunctions still fail to believe that taking Windows out on the Internet is like standing bent over in the street in downtown Gomorrah, naked, arse greased up and carrying a flashing neon sign saying "COME AND GET IT."
Microsoft cannot believe people have not applied the patch for the problem, just because they keep trying to use Windows Genuine Advantage to break legally-bought systems. "Don't they trust us?" asked marketing marketer Steve Ballmer.
Millions of smug Mac users and the four hundred smug Linux users pointed and laughed, having long given up trying to convince their Windows-using friends to see sense. "There's a reason the Unix system on Mac OS X is called Darwin," said appallingly smug Mac user Arty Phagge.
"It can't be stupid if everyone else runs it," said Windows user Joe Beleaguered, who had lost all his email, business files, MP3s and porn again. "Macs cost more than Windows PCs."
"Yes," said Phagge. "Yes, they do."
Ubuntu Linux developer Hiram Nerdboy frantically tried to get our attention about something or other, but we can't say we care.
http://rocknerd.co.uk
A hijacked computer submitted this story!
Ninjas use italics.
What? Sorry, American Idol was on and I got distracted.
I scan my PC once a year, just to be safe, and still nothing!!
Oh, you use Antivirus2009 as well. Sad.
Your fault; you didn't maintain your car properly.
"What do you make of this hacked PC?"
"Oh, you could make a boat anchor, a fish tank, or a flower pot!"
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
Why is my mouse moving all by itself!?
I see a job as a BOFH for you in your future, if you aren't one already...
My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
Somehow, when people learn that their machine is being used to host images of 8-year-olds being sexually abused, they suddenly take the concept of computer security a lot more seriously.
... I'm just saying is all.
Not that I'm advocating anybody should tell a devious lie to a friend in order to make him/her smarten the hell up
There's absolutely no reason to lie to your friend in the name of security.
...or was that what you do to enemies? Crap, I have some apologizing to do.
Just compromise his machine and put some kiddie porn on it. For bonus points, notify the FBI and wait near his house with a folding chair, some soda, and a bag of popcorn.