Re: Virus, Worm, Trojan etc.

> I just don't get it. Can someone explain the purpose of injecting a virus
> etc. into the system and what can be gained by doing it?

One good example is a BHO, known as a Browser Hijacking Object. Technically, this is neither a Trojan or a Virus, but a "Spyware" program thet is usually bundled with another program that you download. Gator and Bonzai Buddy being two of the best-known and most-hated.

Most BHO's are utilized by the creating company to overwrite ads that appear on your browser screen. At first glimpse, this may seem innocent or not that big of a deal.

But, the ads that are overwritten and replaced with their ads are done so with a purpose...to make money.

If one of their ads appear instead of a legimate ad (and sometimes they will replace the legit ad with another EXACT SAME AD that has their affiliate or tracking code embedded into it) they get paid for each purchase or clickthrough that a user performs.

This adds up to millions of dollars.

"So what?" you may say. "It doesn't affect me."

Not so fast, Kemosabe.

Let's pretend that you are a webpage designer. You create a website after hours of hard work, getting everything "just right" for your adoring public. You put a tasteful banner or two on your website, a banner that fits in with your general website theme.

You are getting paid for every one of your visitors that "click" on the banner, or makes a purchase. It may not be a whole lot, but it helps pay the hosting bills.

Then along comes Suzy Q. She finds your website, likes what you have to offer, and clicks on one of your tasteful banners.

BUT, unknown to her, she has a BHO object in her computer that replaced YOUR ad with one of THEIRS. So, after all your hard work, all your planning and implementation, Gator or whoever slips in there and "steals" your commission.

And you don't know a thing about it. And unless laws are enacted to punish these thieves, there's not a lot you can do about it except inform the public.

You can inform your newsletter readers. Pass the message at forums like this.
Join a forum that deals with this issue, like ParasiteWare.

One of the best ways is to inform people about what's happening behind their backs. Encourage them to use AVG, ZoneAlarm, SpySweeper, SpywareBlaster, and so on.

It's a dangerous journey out there. And I haven't covered key loggers or Active X drivebys yet. Not to mention "automatic dialers" that open your internet connections while you're offline and "phones home" with information gathered about you.

Before you open ANYTHING you've downloaded, including MP3's, scan it with a good antivirus scanner.

If you're prone to visiting websites of more of an "adult" nature, (meaning porn, but we all know that YOU don't go there, right?) then you're visiting the most likely of just about all of the websites on the Internet to pick up a bad nasty bug.

You're Welcome. Sleep well tonight. (grin)

Seriously, the best thing to do is stay informed. Go to places like PC Hell and Gladiator Security Forum.

Read. Learn. Fight Back.

Later,
Rick K.