BBC Hijacks 22,000 PCs In Botnet Demonstration 457
An anonymous reader writes "'[The BBC] managed to acquire its own low-value botnet — the name given to a network of hijacked computers — after visiting chatrooms on the internet. The programme did not access any personal information on the infected PCs. If this exercise had been done with criminal intent it would be breaking the law. But our purpose was to demonstrate botnets' collective power when in the hands of criminals.' The BBC performed a controlled DDoS attack, 'then ordered its slave PCs to bombard its target site with requests for access to make it inaccessible.'"
why use botnet (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Breaking the law (Score:5, Funny)
Don't worry, it was a "low value" botnet... That makes it OK.
Re:It gets better (Score:3, Funny)
But it is all OK because they didn't have any "criminal intent."
I wish I had known that was a valid argument during my little DUI incident.
Live and Learn I guess.
Re:Breaking the law (Score:3, Funny)
Re:why use botnet (Score:5, Funny)
when you can use slashdot!
Well, a botnet is probably faster. By the time your article gets through the submission queue the target would probably have gone offline along with the sun burning out.
Re:Breaking the law (Score:5, Funny)
It's an electrically charged net that we use to catch runaway robots. Like the Ethernet we use to catch the EtherBunny.
In other news... (Score:4, Funny)
the notorious underground computer hacking group self-labeled /. [slashdot.org] deploys over 30,000 Anonymous Cowards to take down the BBC news website by maliciously posting a link to this news article.
Re:why use botnet (Score:5, Funny)
The botnet is not stronger. But it is quicker. Easier. More seductive.
Re:Not against the law??? (Score:0, Funny)
Extreme porn law? They have laws against looking at porn while bungee jumping? That's madness!
Re:Breaking the law (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Breaking the law (Score:5, Funny)
"I don't know much about the laws, but it is illegal, isn't it?"
It is legal if you wear a suit-n-tie and work in a corporate office. But if you wear a tee-shirt working from your basement, you're under arrest for unauthorized access.
Re:Breaking the law (Score:2, Funny)
Re:why use botnet (Score:5, Funny)
This demonstration never really took place. They made up a bogus story that will get Slashdot to DoS the site for them.
Re:Breaking the law (Score:5, Funny)
It's more like eating a nectarine and marvelling at how juicy and delicious it is, then realising that it's not a nectarine you're eating but a human head !
Re:why use botnet (Score:2, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re:why use botnet (Score:4, Funny)
Is it also fitter, happier, and more productive?
Re:Now this... (Score:2, Funny)
I've been using Antivirus 2009 (recently updated from 2008 per recommendations even from all the other anti-virus websites).
Since using it, I haven't had any viruses at all. I really don't understand how people can still get caught out in this day and age where we have such good tools available to us.
Re:why use botnet (Score:2, Funny)
Fair enough, here you are.
Law : OMG, j00 pwnt a lot of boxes!!!! That is a really serious offence, with the huge fines and the long time in prisons!!!!!!!!11111eleven
BBC : But I are a corporation!
Law : OK, case dismissed. Next case.
Re:why use botnet (Score:3, Funny)
Re:why use botnet (Score:3, Funny)
And he actually lost karma in the entire exchange.
Now I'm sure someone's going to vote me down in a poor attempt at irony, but hopefully my correct use of apostrophes will save me.