Inside the Mind of a Virus Writer

sebFlyte writes "news.com.com is running a very interesting interview with 'Benny' (AKA Marek Strihavka), a former member of the famed 29A russian virus-writing group, about what drove the group among other things. He's now one of several ex-virus writers working for security companies."

Re:Well, it looks like we finally have step #2...

[Rie Beam]

"Viruses" is the proper term for the pluralization of "virus" - "virii" isn't even a real word.

Stupid title

[JPriest]

The guy never distributed the viruses, he never even wrote code designed to self-replicate. He is just some guy with an interest in computer security and finding exploits and you are calling him "the virus writer". The man is not a criminal.

Interview with another member of 29A (Ratter)

[Anonymous Coward]

This article at InformIT.com [informit.com] is another interview with a 29A member (Ratter). Much of the same content and statements.

Re: First Amendment

[gordonb]

Last time I checked, the First Amendment was in the US Constitution.

Article 17 of the Czech Republic's Constitution ("Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms") states, in Section 4, "The freedom of expression and the right to seek and disseminate information may be limited by law in the case of measures essential in a democratic society for protecting the rights and freedoms of others, the security of the State, public security, public health, and morality." So here, limitations on these rights are more specifically spelled out. I'm not sure, but I would argue that writing virus code and releasing such code certainly is not protected "expression," at least as defined here. Such expression clearly may interfere with the rights of others and public security. Mr. Strihavka may not be as free as he thinks, and he's certainly not protected by the First Amendment.

In the US, First Amendment protections are not all they're cracked up to be, in any case. These rights are clearly spelled out in the US Constitution, but, in practice, that only means that they can be asserted and litigated. Thus, you have the presumption of such freedom, until some corporation or government entity wishes to deny or abridge your rights, armed with better lawyers. Unless, you're rich and can afford press coverage and good attorneys, you can be screwed by a simple letter.

It's a real word

[A nonymous Coward]

You recognized it, you offered an alternative which you feel is legit, but you did recognize it, and that's all any word is good for. Therefore it's a good word, a real word. As Andrew Jackson said, it's a poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.