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Blaster virus-arrest may be made!
alledan
Member Posts: 19,541
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. cyber investigators have identified a teenager as one author of a damaging virus-like infection unleashed weeks ago on the Internet and plan to arrest him early Friday, a U.S. official confirmed.
The 18-year-old was accused of writing a version of the damaging "Blaster" computer infection that spread quickly across the Internet, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official asked that further identifying information about the teenager not be disclosed until the arrest.
Further details were expected to be disclosed Friday by the FBI and U.S. attorney's office in Seattle, which has been leading the investigation.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office there, John Hartingh, said there had been "no arrest made in this matter yet." He declined to comment further.
A witness reportedly saw the teen testing the infection and called authorities, the official said.
Collectively, different versions of the virus-like worm, alternately called "LovSan" or "Blaster," snarled corporate networks worldwide, forcing Maryland's motor vehicle agency to close for one day. The infection inundated networks and frustrated home users.
Symantec Corp. (SYMC), a leading antivirus vendor, said the worm and its variants infected more than 500,000 computers worldwide. Experts consider it one of the worst outbreaks this year.
The "Blaster.B" version of the infection, which began spreading Aug. 13, was remarkably similar to the original Blaster worm that first struck two days earlier; experts said the author made few changes, renaming the infecting-file from "msblast" to an anatomical reference.
All the Blaster virus variants took advantage of a flaw in Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)'s flagship Windows software. Government and industry experts had anticipated such an outbreak since July 16, when Microsoft acknowledged the software problem, which affects Windows technology used to share data files across computer networks.
The infection was quickly dubbed "LovSan" because of a love note left behind on vulnerable computers: "I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!" Researchers also discovered another message hidden inside the infection that appeared to taunt Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates: "billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!"
Infected computers were programmed to automatically launch an attack on a Web site operated by Microsoft, which the software maker easily blunted. The site, windowsupdate.com, is used to deliver repairing software patches to Microsoft customers to prevent against these types of infections.
The 18-year-old was accused of writing a version of the damaging "Blaster" computer infection that spread quickly across the Internet, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official asked that further identifying information about the teenager not be disclosed until the arrest.
Further details were expected to be disclosed Friday by the FBI and U.S. attorney's office in Seattle, which has been leading the investigation.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office there, John Hartingh, said there had been "no arrest made in this matter yet." He declined to comment further.
A witness reportedly saw the teen testing the infection and called authorities, the official said.
Collectively, different versions of the virus-like worm, alternately called "LovSan" or "Blaster," snarled corporate networks worldwide, forcing Maryland's motor vehicle agency to close for one day. The infection inundated networks and frustrated home users.
Symantec Corp. (SYMC), a leading antivirus vendor, said the worm and its variants infected more than 500,000 computers worldwide. Experts consider it one of the worst outbreaks this year.
The "Blaster.B" version of the infection, which began spreading Aug. 13, was remarkably similar to the original Blaster worm that first struck two days earlier; experts said the author made few changes, renaming the infecting-file from "msblast" to an anatomical reference.
All the Blaster virus variants took advantage of a flaw in Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)'s flagship Windows software. Government and industry experts had anticipated such an outbreak since July 16, when Microsoft acknowledged the software problem, which affects Windows technology used to share data files across computer networks.
The infection was quickly dubbed "LovSan" because of a love note left behind on vulnerable computers: "I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!" Researchers also discovered another message hidden inside the infection that appeared to taunt Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates: "billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!"
Infected computers were programmed to automatically launch an attack on a Web site operated by Microsoft, which the software maker easily blunted. The site, windowsupdate.com, is used to deliver repairing software patches to Microsoft customers to prevent against these types of infections.
Comments
It infuriates me to think about the money and time that is spent to protect computers from this type of low life scum. I have wondered for sometime if the anti-virus software companies have people making the viruses so that they can then sell us all new and updated software.
Get the job done and come home safe guys.
I rush in where others flee.
He who dies with the most toys still dies "NO FEAR"
I would like to the death penalty for anyone no mater the age that creates a virus program.
Wow! And would you propose the death penalty for other pranks too? Let's execute the kid who toilet-papers the tree in the town square this Halloween, and maybe we should just kill the next kid that makes a crank telephone call....
It's interesting that you vent all your anger at some bored (and probably brilliant, though mischievous) kid, when perhaps you should should place some blame on the people who create the "crappy" software (ie. Microsoft) which is full of holes that allow the hackers to engage in their behavior.
Better yet, blame yourself for supporting the "crappy software manufacturer" by buying their products!
Don't interpret my comments to mean that I condone the virus writer's behavior--my complaint is with the degree of punishment you suggest and the "direction" of your anger.
If a manufacturer of locks, made one that could be openned by "jiggling" it a certain way, and kids were breaking into houses because of it, I'd blame the kids for their behavior, but also fault the lock manufacturer for their defective product.
Speaking of which, I wonder why those attorney's who pursue gun manufactures aren't sueing Microsoft for creating a clearly defective product?
I do agree MS could and should build better software and operating systems. However, my understanding is any and all operating systems have gaps in security. And it's these gaps such turds look for and then exploit.
If you have one shot...Accu-Shot Website
quote:Originally posted by Smokeeater 38
I would like to the death penalty for anyone no mater the age that creates a virus program.
Wow! And would you propose the death penalty for other pranks too? Let's execute the kid who toilet-papers the tree in the town square this Halloween, and maybe we should just kill the next kid that makes a crank telephone call....
It's interesting that you vent all your anger at some bored (and probably brilliant, though mischievous) kid, when perhaps you should should place some blame on the people who create the "crappy" software (ie. Microsoft) which is full of holes that allow the hackers to engage in their behavior.
Better yet, blame yourself for supporting the "crappy software manufacturer" by buying their products!
Don't interpret my comments to mean that I condone the virus writer's behavior--my complaint is with the degree of punishment you suggest and the "direction" of your anger.
If a manufacturer of locks, made one that could be openned by "jiggling" it a certain way, and kids were breaking into houses because of it, I'd blame the kids for their behavior, but also fault the lock manufacturer for their defective product.
Speaking of which, I wonder why those attorney's who pursue gun manufactures aren't sueing Microsoft for creating a clearly defective product?
I think what smokeeater is refering to is terrorism.
and terrorism should be delt with by capital punishment no exceptions.and this does seem to be a form of terror.
The death penality may be a bit extreem. Lets just remove their hands at the elbows. (just kidding)
I don't think you know what you're talking about Kissgoodnight. My minor is in Computer science, I'm Cisco and MS certified, I'm familiar with VB and not terrible with perl. Despite all these intersts in the computer technology field, I couldn't have set up something like Blaster. Give credit, where credit is due; even if the way the talent used was something less than acceptable.
Typos and profanity, oh my! http://www.funky-town.org
Only the strong shall survive !!!
Only the strong shall survive !!!
I did not say I was an expert in computers, but I did say that I think that Rosie is at least a intellegent as the 18 year old, who is appearantly smarter than you, if you do not have the intel that he used to take a virus that someone created and make a few changes on it and then re-insert it onto the internet. If your chosen profession is computers and you do not have the abilities of an 18 yearold, then the problem is with you.
I can save the system alot of money. Send him to Hamlin, NY for a day. I have an old bullwhip somewhere around here and my Indiana Jones impersonation needs some work.
Practice makes perfect
Woods
if he could of sent this out anonymously....
"He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."
- Jesus Christ in Luke 22:36
Now just what do you think would happen to Joe Blow if he were to rip off that kinda cash?
Methimks death would definately be considered.
After all, our Gov. only considers ol Saddam's life to be worth a few paltry millions.
I say make an example out of the fat lil sucker!
[:(!][:(!]barto
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.-JFK
"Go to Lakedaemon, stranger passing by;
And say there, that in obedience to her law, here we lie"