Paul Vixie On DNS Changer: We're Dealing With Malware the Wrong Way 163
Posted
by
timothy
from the should-be-using-branding-irons dept.
from the should-be-using-branding-irons dept.
AlistairCharlton writes with this snippet: "Victims of the DNS Changer malware think they have better things to do than check their internet security, and as a digital society we're dealing with malware in completely the wrong way. These are the thoughts of Paul Vixie who worked with the FBI in intercepting servers used by a gang of Estonian hackers who made millions of dollars from redirecting internet users away from the websites they requested, directing them to advertisements instead." The linked article also offers an interesting description of how the FBI's quiet takeover of a botnet came to be.
Behavior not new (Score:4, Interesting)
Victims of the DNS Changer malware think they have better things to do than check their internet security
Victims of food poisoning think they have better things to do than check their food safety. Victims of STDs think they have better things to do than practice safe sex. Victims of car theft think they have better things to do than lock their car doors. Victims of lightning strikes think they have better things to do than to seek cover in a storm.
Humans have always engaged in risky behavior, and generally for the same old reasons. You can educate those willing to listen, but you can't force those who won't.
Re:The FBI shouldn't have set up the alternate ser (Score:0, Interesting)
Wait, which OS did this malware run on?
Re:Definitely the wrong way (Score:3, Interesting)
It's like if someone left their car unlocked, and did not have car insurance, and they had their car stolen. Then the FBI had to drive them to and from work in a police car for 6 months.