Super virus?

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Has anyone heard about this on the news? It has been on the news a few times today, I use only Kerio personal firewall and I don't have any anti-virus software simply because it gives me more trouble then viruses themselves. So do you know more about this virus? As far as I know, it only comes via email and if I don't open it then there is no problem but I am not to sure.

 

MyDoom?

Email and KaZaa.

 

What is the big buzz about viruses... Never had one, always used firewall, always scanned files before use...

Can't believe how many people are gullible enough to open a file with "Hi! Open me!" But then; I can't believe how many people are fooled by nigerian scams.

 

Blaster was way worse because you didn't have to do anything. If you had Auto Update on or visited the Microsoft web then you got it (although with bad coding there was a good chance you wouldn't).

MyDoom apparantly sends itself out through email every 3 seconds, but it doesn't work unless you open an email with it inside, then actually download a .ZIP file!

I don't know about the Kazaa except stay away from >10KB .ZIP files!

 

@MC, You mean files with file sizes inconsistant with their indicated content, eg. LOTR movie @ 10Kb, yes?

For those who are unaware, the point of the myDoom virus is to continuously ping SCO and Micosoft, thereby creating a Denial Of Service attack (their websites won't work) as a public awareness campagain about, (and retaliation for), their malicious attempt to claim ownership of parts of Linux (don't try and tell me SCO is acting on its own).

It's unfortunate that the virus author chose to co-op peoples machines without their owner's consent, when thousands of people would happily ping SCO all day long if just asked.

There is a half a million dollars reward for info leading to the conviction of the author of the virus. It is his own fault for not including a 'denial of liability from users of this software' page like MS do.

 

2 questions:

1)Does it damage people's computers

if not

2)Can i get it to work on linux? (how about wine myDoom?)

Apparently SCO claimed that linux users were terrorists, and that open source software is unconstitutional. This and claiming ownership of things that aren't there's (unix/linux related stuff) means they deserved to get screwed over

[EDIT - if any of my comments are considered inappropriate by the admin here, then please let me know which bits so that I (or you) can change it to something more acceptable]

 

(For anyone who doesn't know, MyDoom deliberately avoids Linux operating systems and Linux related servers. 'Wine' is used to run Windows apps on Linux, much to MS's annoyance.)

I can actually forsee a simple executable being distributed on the net that allows people to launch a Denial Of Service attack on the IP address of any site that draws their ire.

It would be a bit like picketing the virtual shopfront of a company. Enough picketeers would prevent all potential customers from reaching the website.

Such guerrilla tactics are normally only employed by those who feel that that mainstream channels that should be providing them with a voice are closed to them.

I believe deliberate annoyance of the general public is also a big part of MyDooms purpose because;

SCO's tactics are making volunteer Linux programmers question whether or not they wish to give freely of their time to line the pockets of a commercial company whose sole intent is to bury Linux itself (hence SCO not being the true driving force behind its copyright claim. If they succeed in milking the Linux cow, then the cow ceases to exist, so SCO has nothing to gain but universal brand hatred).

Every day that passes with the SCO cloud hanging over Linux is potentially hundreds of lost man-days from Linux's development. There is a need to hasten the SCO defeat.

The general public's annoyance will cause the Government to pay attention to the SCO/Linux conflict. Hopefully the Government will act in the public interest. Hopefully also, SCO, MS and the creators of MyDoom will then all stop using guerrilla tactics.

P.S. and not @ metal leper (I got the joke):

Download the latset virus-definitions update of your anti-virus software to get rid of MyDoom.

MyDoom causes no damage to your computer. It slows down your internet connection and makes people think you are a dumb-ass for opening unsolicited attachments.

[ February 03, 2004, 04:10: Message edited by: Bluin ]