Malware Authors Learn Market Segmentation From the Best

Earthquake Retrofit writes "The Register has a rather funny story about the Zeus botnet: 'The latest version of the Zeus do-it-yourself crimeware kit goes to great lengths to thwart would-be pirates by introducing a hardware-based product activation scheme similar to what's found in Microsoft Windows. ... They've also pushed out multiple flavors of the package that vary in price depending on the capabilities it offers. Just as Windows users can choose between the lower-priced Windows 7 Starter or the more costly Windows 7 Business, bot masters have multiple options for Zeus.'"

hmm

[theheadlessrabbit]

but will these malware authors be able to cause as much harm to your computer as windows does?

You may be a victim of botnet counterfeiting

[Anonymous Coward]

Your copy of Zeus has not been validated.

Which version of Zeus should I buy...

[Tracy Reed]

Zeus Smoky Bacon Edition or Zeus Kenny Loggins edition? Bacon is delicious, but I also love that Footloose song... [codinghorror.com]

Re:Supposed commercial...

[easyTree]

...(Mafia dude with NJ/Italian accent) "In the world were we live today, we see multiple opportunities to automate the way you deal with your 'customers'. We all know that baseball bats and golf clubs tend to get a little rusty after a while - hey: we get a little rusty after a while! This is what our experts (cue clip of nerd-dudes with guns placed against their head) set out to fix with great enthusiasm - if you know what I mean hehe. Your company can rest assured that your business can continue now with our new Zeus line of products. To even further help you, we offer it in three variants: Zeus LowLifeScum Edition - the most simplest version with your basic average way to extort. Zeus Made Edition - yeah, you know what you want to have : more automated tools, comes with credit card extraction too! And of course: Zeus Maffia Edition - our ultimate edition, if you belong to the family and want it all. I suggest you meet up soon, I'll make you an offer you can't refuse, hehe. Ciao"

That all sounds less threatening than the supposedly-legitimate RIAA!

Re:Which version of Zeus should I buy...

[JamesP]

Whatever you do don't buy Zeus starter edition, it only allows you to infect 3 machines at the same time...