SCO Offers $250K Bounty for MyDoom Author's Arrest 783
Performer Guy writes "This SCO press release indicates that they are offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest & conviction of the MyDoom DDoS worm authors. Let's hope they catch them. Not merely because MyDoom is one of the most mindless attacks on our internet infrastructure in memory, but also when they pay up it'll be less cash for SCO's litigation engine."
Thanks to Tin Foil Hat and prostoalex for pointing out links at ComputerWorld and CNET, too. Related to this: stealth.c writes "Bruce Perens has written a letter to the Open Source community, discouraging us from cheering on the MyDOOM virus, as it would falsely implicate the FOSS communities and almost certainly cause the success of the virus writer's mission of discrediting these movements. This letter is also posted on NewsForge and on Groklaw." Unfortunately, with columns like this one blaming the worm on "some ticked-off Linux fan", it needs to be said.
Hey, d00d! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:3, Interesting)
Troll? (Score:4, Insightful)
Excuse me for supporting Mr. (Score:0,Troll), but doesn't he raise at least one valid point?
It's not like this is the first time Outlook and all it's features additional to mailhandling (which mostly is usefull only to spammers and virii-writers) causes complete havoc on the internet.
You'd think by now, Microsoft should have turned of all scripting and activex-support in their email-client to avoid all of this happening again?
After all, I can view HTML mail in Mozilla, Opera and Pine for god's sake. And still I have to admit no viri/worm/trojan has ever infected my machine.
So call him troll if you like, but he did (even though maybe in a flamefest fashion) ask the question that should be asked:
Why the hell is this email client still the biggest source of viruses on the internet?
Re:Troll? (Score:3, Insightful)
Err, I don't think this one has anything to do with Outlook's various features. This worm doesn't execute automatically, it relies on the user opening an attached executable file to work. The same trick could work with any MIME compliant MUA that the writer chose to target; it just happens that Outlook & Outlo
Re:Troll? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:3, Funny)
I think they were referring to the OSS programmers writing actual kernel code, which SCO thinks it owns now
I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:5, Insightful)
Plus, also the likelyhood that whoever did this will be publicly revered and hated (not liked) by the Open Source community, and blacklisted from getting a programming job anywhere else in the world, most likely for life?
Also, there's the chance of being treated like Mitnick, and charged as a "terrorist." All for the sum of just under $32,000 a year.
No thanks. If I were the worm writer, I'd hope to God that the virus can't be traced back to me. Either that, or I'd move to Iran or North Korea.
Re:I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:two linux licenses (Score:5, Interesting)
I have a 2 publishers editions, one of 2.3 kernel and one 2.4 kernel. There should be no way they can demand more money for using it the way they sold it.
There may be a legal challange for having the Red hat copy that came with the book. I guess I'm going to have to hide it until the SCO case is over.
One copy makes a great SAMBA server and the other one is a great desktop web tool.
Re:I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:3, Funny)
those 4 years in jail you have no expenses.
that 32k/yr is PURE PROFIT!
Re:I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:5, Funny)
1. Release virus to DDoS SCO
2. Go to federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison
3. ???
4. Profit!
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:5, Funny)
that's why i've begun outsourcing all my virus-writing to india, where the programmers aren't spoiled by "health insurance" or "a living wage" or "the requirement of staying out of prison".
Re:I know this is meant to be funny but. (Score:5, Funny)
Pretty much a love/hate relationship...
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:5, Funny)
www.linuxstolescocode.com (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:3, Funny)
what do you mean? what "Post Anonymously" button?
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:3, Funny)
That is a way better deal!!!!
Re:Hey, d00d! (Score:5, Funny)
I did it.
I used a combination of Visual Basic and Commodore 64 Logo.
Deposit the $250,000 in my Swiss Bank Account and I'll be at your office first thing Monday morning with the source. You can check to see whether it has any of the Unix code that you 'own'.
I might have to spend a year in jail (maybe even a little more if they find out about the thing with the seeds in the parking lot of the Grateful Dead show back in 1978). But after that I'll be free with $250,000. I'll use the time to brush up on investment theory and derivatives and maybe even get in a little weight training.
Beats a year in a cubicle doing tech support on the phone for $8/hr.
Keep me posted!!!
Copyright. (Score:5, Funny)
It's that SCO thinks that MyDoom's source code is owned by them. :)
Re:Copyright. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Copyright. (Score:5, Funny)
Obviously, SCO wrote MyDoom. Part of the payload is several lines of unix code copyrighted by SCO. Notice how the worm is reporting back to SCO? That's not a DDOS; that's the worm reporting the IP addresses of everybody who now owes SCO $699 for copyright infrigement.
Re:Copyright. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Copyright. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Copyright. (Score:3, Funny)
No wonder they're pissed.
Trying to throw us off the trail, huh? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Trying to throw us off the trail, huh? (Score:5, Interesting)
Bruce
DDOS is SCO submission to the court of public opin (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes that's the obvious parallel and the right conclusion IMO.
SCO's two pronged approach includes the court of public opinion in addition to the U.S. judicial system. It suits SCO and their Redmond Muppet-masters to disparage the Open Source community, which is why we see pejoratives like "Communist," "Hacker" and "Anti-American" emanating from them at every opportunity. It would suit them perfectly for each of those terms to become synonyms in the commo
Re:DDOS is SCO submission to the court of public o (Score:5, Funny)
Re:DDOS is SCO submission to the court of public o (Score:3, Funny)
Or, if we still don't like Metallica, we can call them "Nefarious Master....Master.....Master of puppets!"
Re:Trying to throw us off the trail, huh? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Trying to throw us off the trail, huh? (Score:3, Funny)
KFG
Re:Trying to throw us off the trail, huh? (Score:4, Insightful)
So I guess the business model in all four situations looks like this:
- Do something awful.
- Claim you're looking for those responsible.
- Profit.
There's not even a "???" in there. Wow.*sigh*
Re:Trying to throw us off the trail, huh? (Score:5, Insightful)
cash money (Score:5, Funny)
How did they get that kind of money?
Oh right...
$699 at a time : (
--
In London? Need a Physics Tutor? [colingregorypalmer.net]
American Weblog in London [colingregorypalmer.net]
Fine Print: (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Fine Print: (Score:5, Interesting)
All this is is a nice PR move by SCO so they look like heros trying to stamp out malicious hackers.
Nastyness (Score:2)
Most people live in a democracy so why not try ot use tha tinstead of random acts of cyber violence?
Rus
Re:Nastyness (Score:3, Funny)
The plan (Score:5, Interesting)
Someone needs to do the following:
1. Turn the culprit in.
2. Collect SCO's reward.
3. Give the money to the OSDL SCO defense fund.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:The plan (Score:3, Informative)
If you bought a Viper SRT-10 +tax/tags and paid the first year's insurance you'd still have around 160K left for the defense fund. Not a shabby contribution.
I'd do the opposite (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The plan (Score:5, Funny)
2. Collect SCO's reward.
3. Give the money to the OSDL SCO defense fund.
WHAT?!
Lemme tell you something. I'd get a bigass Winnebago and I'd get "SCO SUCKS" airbrushed onto the sides of it. I'd then proceed to camp out across the street from SCO headquarters.
LK
Oh c'mon... (Score:2)
Re:Oh c'mon... (Score:5, Interesting)
SCO offers $250K bounty... (Score:2, Funny)
And the sum will be paid out as... (Score:5, Funny)
The message from Bruce Perens (Score:5, Informative)
Message to the Linux and Free Software Community Regarding the SCO Denial-of-Service Virus
Bruce Perens <bruce@perens.com> (U.S.) 510-526-1165
Version 2, January 27, 2004.
The master version of this notice is at http://perens.com/Articles/SCO/DOS/ [perens.com]
Please check that location for a more recent version. You may re-publish this material. You may excerpt it, reformat it and translate it as necessary for your presentation. You may not edit it to deliberately misrepresent my opinion.
On January 26, 2004, a new virus became rampant. I have read reports that the virus payload has two purposes: to install a remote-execution back-end of a type commonly used by spammers to redistribute email, and to perform a denial-of-service attack on SCO's web site.
Denial-of-service attacks via virus have been a common trick of email spammers. They were first used to take out some of the anti-spam blacklist sites. Several of those sites had their (non-spam-related) business so heavily disrupted that they closed the doors of their anti-spam projects rather than be attacked again.
The Open Source developers are a target of spammers. We are the creators of most high-profile anti-spam technology. For example, SpamAssassin started out as, and remains today, an Open Source project. The predominant mail delivery programs of the Internet are Open Source projects such as Sendmail and Postfix, and thus most efforts to spam-proof those programs are Open Source as well. This is important, because it gives spammers a reason to defame us.
SCO also has a reason to defame us, as part of their stock-kiting scheme. We have assembled ample evidence that they have lied under oath in court. Such a company would not balk at attacking their own site in order to paint their opponents in a bad light.
Thus, it is likely that this virus has been assembled for the purpose of defaming the Linux developers by spammers, SCO, or others. Your behavior will influence whether or not it succeeds in this mission.
Thus, I urge all persons who have sympathy for Free Software, Open Source, and Linux:
Remember that your actions count. You are ambassadors of our community.
I couldn't help but notice.... (Score:5, Funny)
Now I wonder why you put that in there?
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
I call BS (Score:4, Insightful)
This "open letter" is nothing but transparent propaganda - trying to paint the Open Source world as perfect, free of idiots, fighting against all the evil forces in the world. Newsflash - there are idiots everywhere. Deal with it, and keep the bullshit to a minimum.
Re:The message from Bruce Perens (Score:5, Funny)
Umm.. yeah, right pal- like we can't figure out when someone is worried his karma is going downhill!
Re:The message from Bruce Perens (Score:3, Insightful)
Something thing I'd add: think twice, speak once.
You might think cracking a "hooray for MyDoom! SCO sucks!" comment in
As indicated in the original post, http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1463923,00.a s p quotes an AC: "Quick, disable your AV software, and get some Windows boxes on the internet!"
Pretty sloppy journalism, quoting an anonymous source with no support, but
Re:The message from Bruce Perens (Score:5, Insightful)
Bruce
Re:The message from Bruce Perens (Score:5, Interesting)
Here it is for anyone else who missed it:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/01/27/
Your right Bruce that is no laughing matter at all.
I hadn't dreamed anyone (other than SCO) would take
claims like this against the Linux Community seriously.
Re:The message from Bruce Perens (Score:4, Funny)
First of all, it should read, some moronic Linux fans are cheering on MyDoom. Take an English class, buddy.
Second, I am NOT a "Linux fan". Actually, I'm decidedly pro-Microsoft when it comes to the desktop. It just happens that I hate SCO's tactics. I'm offended to be lumped into a "Linux Fan" category.
Third, the author says "...and get some Windows boxen on the internet!" This guy can't even cut and paste correctly.
The Usual Suspects (Score:5, Insightful)
Are you sure the virus is just meant to hurt SCO? Note that like previous variations of this virus, it installs a back door (specifically the ability to execute supplied code and port forwarding). This same functionality has been used by spammers in the past (and indeed, the DoS portions of previous versions have targeted anti-spam sites).
As the saying goes, "you must be new here." The Linux fanbase is not alone in its share of zealots and childish behavior.
Who said anything about MS? Bruce's comments mentioned SCO. And spammers. That's it.
Google for "gobbles". There are plenty of folks who would love to take a swipe at Open Source (or specific groups under that banner). And why not. They're just as tempting a target as anything else that gains notoriety. After all, what would an individual gain from attacking... say... Microsoft?
You're on the money on that last bit. This will hand SCO more ammo to fling at the OSS community. And SCO will undoubtedly do their best to get it in the press and in front of Congress (which in turn is fodder for the unlikely possibility that this is SCO's own doing - they'll skuttle their own company for a buck, why not their own site?).
So what if this is not the work of a ticked off kid? Who would do this?
Again - this is a variant of previous malware. It is possible that someone got mad and just did the basic changes needed to vent their frustration. Or it could be from the same source as other recent attacks. And that source is undoubtedly some part of the spammer "industry" / community.
So why attack SCO? Bruce touched on one possibility - discredit a community that's been working hard to make spammers' operations difficult to maintain. Others have suggested it is an attempt to distract people from the virus' real intention - providing another fleet of zombie proxy machines. I've toyed with the idea that attacking SCO may appeal to the very ones who are usually cleaning up malware and the virus author hopes that these individuals would just let this one slip by.
In short, there are plenty of possibilities. And while the lone malcontent is still a very valid one, it is by no means the only likely candidate.
Re:The message from Bruce Perens (Score:5, Insightful)
The bulk of the expense of dealing with this trojan will not be taken up by SCO. No, it will be taken up by the thousands and thousands of companies whose IT departments now have to deal with it.
This is like cheering the destruction of the two towers because you don't like things that are rectangle-shaped.
come on... (Score:3, Informative)
Give me a break. I agree that it is unfair for your whole "movement" to look bad based on the actions of one misguided individual. But this position that this virus is a conspiracy to make linux look bad is ridiculous. You really find it easier to believe that this is a plot to bring down linux than that some high school kid who doesn't like sco did something stupid, as high school kids tend to do? I think some people are trying to hard to make their lives and "movement" seem more exciting by adding some drama and intrigue.
Re:come on... (Score:3, Interesting)
Naw, it's much more likely that some deranged Linux zealot with far more programming skills than common sen
Don't bother (Score:2)
More bounties on hack0r heads (Score:2)
SCO takes another page from the Microsoft book of institutional intimidation and scalp hunting.
Besides, who the heck goes to the SCO site anyway? SCO already has taken all the good code off their web pages, so why bother? If the security analysts hadn't noticed the code that would DDOS SCO's site, nobody would have noticed its' unavailability.
OT, but I just submitted this story: (Score:5, Funny)
Thank you to all
Congratulations, everybody!
On a side note, simply searching for "bastards" brings up SCO). [google.com] If Google happens to notice and block it (as in the past), a screenshot is here. [herrvinny.com] Please be kind to my server
The Press Release (Score:5, Informative)
SCO Offers Reward for Arrest and Conviction of Mydoom Virus Author
LINDON, Utah, Jan 27, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The SCO Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOX), the owner of the UNIX(R) operating system and a leading provider of UNIX-based solutions, today confirmed that it is experiencing a distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS) attack. SCO announced that it is offering a reward of up to a total of $250,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for creating the Mydoom virus.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990421/SCOLO GO )
"During the past ten months SCO has been the target of several DDOS attacks," said Darl McBride, president and CEO, The SCO Group, Inc. "This one is different and much more troubling, since it harms not just our company, but also damages the systems and productivity of a large number of other companies and organizations around the world. The perpetrator of this virus is attacking SCO, but hurting many others at the same time. We do not know the origins or reasons for this attack, although we have our suspicions. This is criminal activity and it must be stopped. To this end, SCO is offering a total of $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this crime."
SCO is also working with U.S. law enforcement authorities including the U.S. Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine the identity of the individual(s) involved. Anyone with this information may contact their local FBI office.
The Mydoom worm, also known as Novarg, is a mass-mailing worm that arrives as an attachment with the file extension .bat, .cmd, .exe, .pif, .scr, or .zip. When a user opens the attachment their computer becomes infected and uses their computer with the intention of connecting to the www.sco.com Web site on February 1, 2004. Network security firms including Network Associates and Symantec have already issued software updates to combat this particular worm.
About The SCO Group
The SCO Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOX) helps millions of customers in more than 82 countries to grow their businesses with UNIX business solutions. Headquartered in Lindon, Utah, SCO has a worldwide network of more than 11,000 resellers and 4,000 developers. SCO Global Services provides reliable localized support and services to all partners and customers. For more information on SCO products and services visit http://www.sco.com .
SCO and the associated SCO logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of The SCO Group, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries. All other brand or product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.
SOURCE SCO Group
Blake Stowell of The SCO Group, +1-801-932-5703, bstowell@sco.com; or Payal Patel, or Avi Dines, both of Schwartz Communications, +1-781-684-0770, sco@schwartz-pr.com, for The SCO GroupCopyright (C) 2004 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
News Provided by COMTEX
Now on the journalist-blacklist (Score:5, Interesting)
Robyn Peterson [eweek.com], robyn_peterson@ziffdavis.com, is probably pretty safe to ignore at this point.
From eWeek's (heh) "Online Jubilation About MyDoom's SCO Attack" [eweek.com] article:Reactions on Slashdot, arguably the largest discussion board for technophiles, displayed a cathartic wave of pleasure, "Finally a worthwhile virus!" exclaims one poster. While another adds, "So, uh where can I download a copy?" (Robyn here included links to relevant /. comments)
While the person who gets paid to write this for a living (wtf?) ignores that the majority of the +4/5 comments that aren't rated "Funny" are
1) Reminding people that DDoSing is always stupid and silly2) Anticipating this kind of silly article
and 3) yelling at people who post unsupported theories about SCO.
But hold on, Robyn has more to say:
Another Slashdot poster goes as far as saying, "SCO has used past denial of service attacks as 'the dog ate my homework' type of excuses in court." It went on to suggest that "SCO's next court date is in early February, maybe they haven't done all their homework this time," implying that SCO itself released the worm. (Robyn will report next month on the inability of SCO to find evidence because IBM is being a big meanie.)
I know it's an advertising publication, but some people read eWeek and expect some of the things in it to be true. Rather than mention the tangible allegations against SCO with regards to insider trading, lying to stockholders, and inconsistent policies, Robyn reports what he's paid to. And that's fine - a half-truth is not quite libel - but it's kind of disturbing to read.
Bad Robyn Peterson, robyn_peterson@ziffdavis.com. Bad.
Re:Now on the journalist-blacklist (Score:5, Insightful)
Sure, most of us aren't going to cry for SCO when they get DOSed, given that they have repeatedly threatened many of our livelihoods with lawsuits against our employers, and attempts to destroy the community we've built and undermine the legitimacy of the licenses we choose as individuals to use for our software. But most of us realize that the damage these DOS attacks do to the infrastructure and reliability of the Internet is more potentially damaging to our careers and livelihood in the long term than any childish glee you could get from watching a crappy company's website go down.
And I think it's pretty obvious that the SCO DDOS is probably just a cover for using compromised hosts as spam zombies.
You must be kidding (Score:5, Funny)
I wonder who exactly are those people who expect some of it to be true. I have some nice bridges in various American cities for sale and we are also handling the pre-sale of some real state in the Moon and in Mars for Nasa. So if you know anyone who believes in articles whose main source of information are Slashdot comments, please ask them to give me a call.
It's like watching children fight (Score:5, Insightful)
As has been pointed out . . . (Score:5, Insightful)
While it couldn't happen to a "nicer" company, it seems very likely this virus wasn't written by a "Pissed off Linux advocate" or even a "Rabid SCO hater." The DDoS is probably just incidental to the real payload, serving to deflect suspicion from the culprit.
Yet another Bottom Feeding spammer . .
What a loser. (Score:5, Informative)
DDoS == Slashdot (Score:5, Insightful)
I bet they didn't think about the number of people (not just from Slashdot, but everywhere) that were going to DDoS them just by reading their press release...
Yet another showing of intelligence from SCO.
it's not real money to Darl (Score:5, Insightful)
Which is what makes this press release so...so...strange. We all know that the FBI goes ballistic over this kind of thing. And unless the worm author was incredibly careful, he's probably got federal agents tramping around his bedroom and emptying out his dresser drawers even as I write this.
So why then, is SCO so eager to hand over $250,000 for an informant? SCO's moaning about how much this worm has cost them, but, really, can we take that seriously? I could see if this worm targeted Dell or IBM, or, you know, some company that actually has customers visit their website. But who is SCO selling anything to anymore? It's just a litigation house. What do they care if their site drops down for a day or two? The FBI is likely to be hot on the worm author's heels, so why is SCO so eager to hand over 250 thousand smackers without any clear reason?
When you see spending decisions like this, it's a pretty good sign that a company is being run by bozos. You get the sense this press release was rushed out the door in an effort to capitalize on media attention. But was there any real reason why SCO needs the attention, or why it's in their best interest to part with so much money given that the culprit will likely be found anyway?
So here's my crystal ball prediction: the worm author will be found. But SCO won't pay up. This is all about publicity, and for some reason I don't foresee Darl rushing to sign a check.
Re:it's not real money to Darl (Score:3, Insightful)
You've answered your own question. The FBI will be the ones to catch the guy and SCO won't have to pay anything. Meanwhile, SCO will take the opportunity to knock the Linux community (which had nothing to do with this infantile prank) and play the victim. Another f
Re:it's not real money to Darl (Score:3, Insightful)
There software may be designed by Bozos, but thats another story
I shouldn't use the term 'Bozo", since it is the only clown I ever enjoyed. Most clowns I hate... except Jack.
Did anyone even read the Symantec virus writeup? (Score:3, Interesting)
eWeek needs a lobotomy. (Score:5, Funny)
Anyone worth their while knows that Linux fans don't code anything for Windows unless they are paid for it. It's something called 'taint,' which money readily removes. :-P
Boston Tea Party.... (Score:4, Insightful)
there is no way that one person or even a small group can create a worm that takes down linux or FOSS.
Anyone who thinks so is demented.... And I guess that means you Bruce.
Honestly, who the hell cares about SCO anymore?
SCO themselves have blown the shit out of their own case..... We all know its a pump and dump...
cheering on a boston tea party is only possible because the legal system of the US has allowed this mess to get as far as it has publicly.
Ultimately it has only served to let the general public know there is an alternative to Windows and Mac.....
The idea of blaming the whole of FOSS for the expression the worm writter communicated is totally insane, but so what if some cheer for the statement...
ISN'T it really just a statement of telling SCO to either put up or shut up?
What the legal system has so completely failed to do!!!
When was the last time you read the declairation of Independance Bruce?
Re:Boston Tea Party.... (Score:4, Funny)
Linux is just a peice of software. SCO is attempting (and making a poor attempt at that) at suing IBM fro breach of contract or whatever. The courts are likely to decide against them. The system hasn't really failed us here. Its just moving very slowly, as usual.
I commend you for your enthusiasm but it isn't time to start a revolution. Linux is still legal. SCO will likely die without any action on our part whatsoever. Relax dude.
The guy that wrote this virus isn't Paul Revere or Che Guevara or whatever. He's likely some loser with low self esteem looking for attention. Or maybe a spammer.
heh, and they thought the virus was bad (Score:3, Funny)
Whats the award gonna be for everyone hitting their site and bringing their server to its knees?
"500 dollars for the head of every linux junkie who loaded our web site!"
Hell has frozen over (Score:5, Funny)
Hand me those earmuffs, Mr. Lucifer. Chilly, huh? You just never know about the weather around here.
The author is a spammer, not an anti-SCO nut (Score:5, Interesting)
I think it means very little that the worm launches an attack against SCO. The primary purpose of this worm, like the Mimails that preceded it, is the wide-spread distribution of a zombie network for the purpose of propagating spam. You see, spammers hire programmers to do this coding for them (read up a bit on Mimail and spam [spamhaus.org]) in order to help their spam biz. While the hired programmer was at it, he probably threw in the SCO bit for shits and giggles. Or maybe he's a younger programmer and just kind of immature. Either way, the spammers (the people commissioning the construction of the worm) don't care.
To me this sounds like the most likely scenario -- remember that spam and viruses are linked [sysdesign.ca]. The SCO thing is just throwing people off track.
Scene - the virus writer's parents' basement (Score:5, Funny)
Scene - the virus writer's parents' basement
Script Kiddie #1: OK, dude, like, I got the, y'know, latest version of, like, Virus Creator, dude.
Script Kiddie #2: Swheeet! Dude, like, run it!
Script Kiddie #1: Fuxor! Like, I clicked on it, and, like, it didn't go!
SK2: Dude! You have to, like, double click! Lamer!
SK1: STFU! I know that! Fag!
SK1: Uhhh, like, it's doing sumthing. Oh - kewl! It's like, installing stuff.
SK2: Shweet! Man, this rox!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - page 1 of 5 - Do you want to install a backdoor? [yes] [no] [help]
SK1: Shweet! Yeah, let's set up my army of zombies! Huh-huh-huh!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - page 2 of 5 - Do you want to install a spam relay? [yes] [no] [help]
SK2: Dude! We can, like, make money! Do it, dude!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - page 3 of 5 - Do you want to install an HTTP relay ? [yes] [no] [help]
SK1: WTF? (clicks help)
Virus Creator: This lets us serve PR0N through your zombies - click yes and we will let you have the password to see some of it.
SK1 and SK2 (together): DUDE! SHWEEET!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - page 4 of 5 - Do you want to DDOS somebody ? [yes] [no] [help]
SK2: Yeah!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - DDOS setup - Who do you want to DDOS? [enter URL here]
SK1: Who should we fuxor? School?
SK2: DUDE! If you fuxor school how can we look at pr0n during class? (dope-smacks SK1)
SK1: OW! Fag! OK, uhhh, dude, like, the RAII?
SK2: YEAH! Fuxoring with our MP3s!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - URL "www.raii.com" not found - try again [enter URL here]
SK2: Fuxor!
SK1: Dude, like, what's something with less letters, man?
SK2: SCO?
SK1: Yeah! FUXOR JOO, SCO!
Virus Creator: Virus Creator Wizard - page 5 of 5 - Virus ready - click here to email [ok]
SK1 and SK2 (together): SHWEET!
In other words, I think the DDOS against SCO is incidental to the real purpose of this virus - which is to spread spam. Like as not the choice of SCO was just because they are in the news, and to shift the blame to somebody else.
One thing that doesn't jibe ... (Score:5, Insightful)
So how is it that SCO is supposedly already feeling the effects of the DDoS from the virus?
what currency? (Score:4, Funny)
Is that 250,000 in cash or SCO stock?
DDOS? (Score:4, Funny)
SO WHAT? (Score:4, Insightful)
If you were a virus writer (Score:3, Insightful)
Which would prevail, the promise of $250,000, or the certainty of ostracism or worse from your fellow virus writers?
I admit I don't understand how virus writers think, but they don't seem to be particularly money-driven. On the other hand $250,000 will buy a lot of computer equipment and junk food.
Very curious about people's opinions and observations. Post anon if you need to.
Oh, the irony (Score:3, Funny)
Let's hope whoever does catch the authors, and collects the bounty, dontates the money to the SCO Defense Fund [slashdot.org]
The author will not be caught (Score:3, Interesting)
Now how's that for a conspiracy theory
myDoom is not a worm it is a VIRUS (Score:3, Interesting)
Mr McBride and the media in general- stop calling MyDoom a worm, I know it sounds more dramatic and "computery" than virus, but VIRUS is what it is
see here [wikipedia.org] and elsewhere on the web
Re:Let me be the first to say... (Score:5, Insightful)
And then you can go to jail for obstruction of justice. Paying people to not turn in evidance of a crime is a federal offence.
Re:Let me be the first to say... (Score:3, Insightful)
If I knew the little punk that did this, I would cheerfully turn him in to SCO. Of course, I would fork over some of the bounty to anti-SCO legal efforts.
Re:Dear Bruce Perens (Score:5, Insightful)
Shut the fuck up It's kind of obvious that this is a doing of a Linux user, so please stop writing your pointless letters, no one cares. Heed my advice, and once and for all Shut the fuck up
Seeing as Bruce is considered to be one of the leaders/spokesmen of the Free/Open Source Software Community, he has a responsibility to speak out on issues such as this. Since so many people, organizations, and companies pay heed to what he says, his silence would be considered tacit approval by some.
Additionally, this single worm has the potential to do more harm to the Free/Open Source Software Community than all of SCO's shenanigans combined. evereyone really needs to speak out against this.
Re:Dear Bruce Perens (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Dear Bruce Perens (Score:4, Funny)