http://money.cnn.com/2003/11/05/tech...ex.htm?cnn=yes

I know some loathe Microsoft and Bill Gates, but come on people. It's the virus writers. I would turn them in if I knew even if there's no reward. It's my PC, my sister's PC, my work PC, etc. I work hard and I'm not wanting some punk virus writer wasting my money away just trying to make their point about security flaws. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I would rat out any virus writer immediately.

I would absolutely turn them in, because in the first place, people who write viruses are scum, and in the second place, I might actually turn myself in for $5 million. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Of course I'd turn them in, not for the money, but because every self-respecting citizen should turn in criminals who pose a major threat/do major damage to society.
However, if they were close friends of mine (unlikely, because I am the most computerfriendly person in our circle) I'd urge them turn them in themselves first and if they reacted reasonably I'd maybe even let it slide.

Why are virus writers considered "scum"? as far as i can make out most virus writers do it for kicks, to see if they can do it, not out of malice. to write a virus you have to have a good knowledge of computers, their vunerabilitys, and be a programming wiz. granted i dont like the end product (i already had the blaster once :rolleyes: ) but whenever i see such a succesful virus, im not p*ss*d, im impressed.

i bet you all think im screwy, but thats how i see it. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 11-05-2003, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: Zero Alpha ]

You would be a little annoyed if it meant having to work all weekend to help patch a data room full of servers.

Not if i got paid overtime :D

If they just do it for kicks they shouldn't send it out to screw with millions of people's computers.
I think in many cases it's those people's own fault for being stupid enough not to take virus precautions but I definitely know that in many other cases it was simply too clever a virus and the people affected couldn't have done anything about it.
Hackers who just leave a "look, I got in, you might wanna update your security"-message I don't know.... I can see a point in that. But virus makers I would turn in.

If they were friends/family (which they wouldn't be, since most of my friends are computer illiterate) then I wouldn't turn them in for any price.
If they were strangers, then I probably would, depending on whether I like their or dislike their 'cause'. $5m could come in handy.
If they were people I knew, and genuinely hated, then by all means [img]smile.gif[/img] I get corporate sponsorship, they go doooooown. It's a double-whammy situation.

[ 11-05-2003, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

The DC sniper proved that he had skill, but it doesn't mean he should be respected for what he did.

Virus writers are malicious scum who waste people's time and money for no reason other than their own sick personal kicks. They are like the jerks who flatten tires, run a key down the side of a car, break windows, etc.

Losers of the worst kind, who should not be thought of in positive terms by anyone.

The ability to disrupt security systems, throw bureaucratic institutions into disarray and essentially cause temporary chaos within established electronic institutions could and can be a very valuable tool, depending on how one is philosophically inclined... Provided hacking and virus-making is developed with 'positive' goals in mind (I believe anti-authoritarianism was a rather celebrated virtue in your country a few centuries back no?) I think it is certainly worthy of respect.

You may argue that there is no immediate need for it now, and that government and corporate entities in the Western hemisphere and largely generous and positive entities. But alot could change in the ensuing century(ies) to come. Best to keep rebellion-skills alive and well for if they are ever needed in future. It may mean that you will need to protect yourself from rogue hackers, but I'd rather that these skills were still present than totally gone...

Do you use the same argument to support someone's right to own firearms? You know, just in case they might be needed to fight off some malevolent future government? [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

Virus writers and hackers help our security like Ebola and AIDS helps the medical field! [img]graemlins/1pissed.gif[/img]

I agree with Ronn and Sir K. It's exactly like the guy who goes around keying cars for no reason.

Now, if Tyler Durdin incorporates them into Project Mayhem, perhaps I'll be on board. :D

Dang right I'd turn them in.

On the other hand I wonder what it will take for Microsoft to provide a decent service to their customers. I dread the next version of Windows where an AV will be included. $10 says it'll suck and it won't be turned off quietly. ;)

[ 11-05-2003, 05:15 PM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

Not if i got paid overtime :D </font>[/QUOTE]Well that would be different, but I'm on salary [img]smile.gif[/img]

Not if i got paid overtime :D </font>[/QUOTE]Well that would be different, but I'm on salary [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]I feel your pain. :D

[ 11-05-2003, 05:25 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

That sums it up pretty well.

Hackers cost businesses money and customers - I wonder how many jobs might have been saved or created if companies hadn't had to deal with the effects of virus outbreaks? Who knows if lives have been lost because patient records at hospitals have been lost or damaged?

I wouldn't hesitate to turn in a virus writer...

Hacking and virus writing are not evil per say. Just as any weapon is not evil. As a soldier and a programmer, I recognize them as tools for attacking and disabling an enemy.

That said, while guns are not bad, the thief that uses one to rob a bank is. As is the person that opens fire upon innocent bystanders. People that release virii into the wild indiscriminatly and use hacking tools for personal gain are just criminals and should be treated as such.

without virueses + hackers, there would be no Norton, no Mcaffee, no Zonealarm... i think whichever way it goes jobs are going to be lost. its lose lose. :(

If virus makers and hackers were put out of business people would lose jobs?

Personally, I think programmers could focus themselves in a money making direction without virus making LOSERS wasting the programmer's time.

**Rod Sterling voice**

Imagine... if you will.. a world where programmers are free to create programs that don't have to defend the simple computer user, but are... IN FACT... designed to serve their basic need(s) or even entertain those users.......

EDIT - On a weird personal note, I do consider virus makers and some hackers to be in two different groups and may actually agree that some hackers may serve a purpose while realizing that overall, they still have to fall into the same general category.

<font color=orange>I'd burn the little buggers in a New York minute for free! They are nothing but low life maggots! :mad:

That's the excuse of a thief. If somebody breaks into my home and get's cought, would they get away with an excuse like that ?

I would definately turn them in. Especially since lately their has been a rash of viruses being spread again, even if you have updateded anti-virus software, it's still annoying to have to check when you already checked your system maybe an hour ago.

Yep, with or with-out a reward, but I think it is irrelevant becasue the reward is designed mostly for virus writers and to flip[ on each other or to entice friends and family of virus writers to turn them in rather than coax the general public to go on a virus hunting witch hunt. I hope it works.

Now if my older/younger brother came bragging to me about the wicked worm he unleashed on the world it would turn into one of those world famous ethical dilemas...hypothetically I would turn him on principle, but that money sure is tempting if I were to lack that particular principle. ;)

Turn him in and split the money with him after he gets out of prison - that way you can satisy your both your moral duty and absolve yourself of guilt [img]smile.gif[/img]

That's the excuse of a thief. If somebody breaks into my home and get's cought, would they get away with an excuse like that ?

I would definately turn them in. Especially since lately their has been a rash of viruses being spread again, even if you have updateded anti-virus software, it's still annoying to have to check when you already checked your system maybe an hour ago. </font>[/QUOTE]I think what he meant to say was that a lot of these problems could be avoided if people paid a little bit more attention. This is no excuse for the virus writers
BUT
Most virii nowadays spread via eMail and they only spread if the user is stupid enough to open an attachement to an eMail with no proper text
This is not like leaving your door wide open, this is like inviting a burglar who is camping on your lawn inside and then go get him a crowbar :mad:
While virus writers are criminals I also think it is irresponsible of computer users (especially when it's a computer at work) not to check those attachements properly.
There are FREE anti-virus tools available for download (e.g. AVG anti-virus) and most infections can be prevented if you use some common sense.

Absolutely!

That's the excuse of a thief. If somebody breaks into my home and get's cought, would they get away with an excuse like that ? </font>[/QUOTE]Nonsense, that's twisting my words. I didn't say anything like that - what I said was that (to use your analogy) if you leave your front door wide open in a dodgy neighbourhood and then go on a holiday, whoever it was that robbed your house empty (because that will undoubtedly have happened) should of course be arrested for thieving, BUT you'd have been pretty damn stupid yourself too, so it would have been your fault in the sense that you could have taken sensible precautions which you didn't. I'm not saying stupid people *cause* their computers to be infected - it's the viruses and their makers who cause it. But if you go around opening and running attached files from strangers who write you emails in Spanish even though you don't speak Spanish, then it *is* your fault that you get infected by viruses more often than other (sensible) people.

Absolutely! </font>[/QUOTE]I knew you did...lol.

Turn him in and split the money with him after he gets out of prison - that way you can satisy your both your moral duty and absolve yourself of guilt [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Turn him in and use his half for an appeal. [img]smile.gif[/img]