A freeper's message:To the perpatraitors of the recent e-mail computer viruses

E.G.C.

[E.G.C.]

Just in case those who perpetraited the most recent e-mail viruses are by chance reading this, I have just a few things to say.

You may think that what you did was very funny and amusing but let me assure that not a whole lot of us feel the same way. Apparently, it has never occured to you (or does it ever seem to matter to you?) the harm that has been caused by your actions.

And when I say harm, I'm talking about the many friendships that might come to an end. Millions and millions of individuals and businesses whose futures have been left uncertain. Not to mention the damage that has been done to the economy in a number of places as a result of your action.

Apparently you seem to think that it's cool to pull off these kind of stunts and that you have a civil right to do this. Well, I have news for you. It's NOT cool and you DO NOT have a civil right to do this. You know that what you did is wrong but you chose to do it anyway, and for what reason? Obviously, out of spite or hate, or maybe you did it just because soemone did wrong to you.

Let me ask you something. What did anyone do to you that you felt the need to perfrom this kind of retribution? Just name one thing that anyone did. You know, a lot of us are good honest decent people who just want to be left alone and live our lives as we choose. I for one fail to see what anyone of us did to deserve this mess. I think you are just one bitter spoiled person who thinks the world hasn't been so kind to you and you created these virsus as an act of retribution.

Let me assure that one day you're going to be held to answer for this. And I don't just mean criminal charges either. There are going to be a whole bunch of civil suits filed against you for the harm you've caused with these viruses.

And don't think buying off a judge or a prosecutor is gonna help you either because a lot of us are very keen and know when these things happen. And I gurantee you anyone in an authority position that you buy off is not going to last in that position for very long. We will demand that person be removed.

Yes, you may think that what you have done is cool, but it is not. It's a crime and a lot of us are going to make sure you are proseucted to the fullest extent of the law.

[JimRed]

It's a crime and a lot of us are going to make sure you are proseucted to the fullest extent of the law.

And if we find out where you live, you may wish that the law got you first!!!

[toupsie]

Maybe you should be pissed at Microsoft for building a completely faulty product. Any other product that had such a dismal "Safety" record would have been sued to oblivion by a trial attorney. If you know you are vunderable using Windows, why not switch to something that is not. Two excellent operating systems exist that never have to worry about the massive numbers of viruses encountered by Windows users. Those are Linux and Apple's Mac OS X (not recommending Mac OS 9). Both are built on top of UNIX which has strong user control over file access which is the best first step in virus protection.

You can either deal with viruses day in and day out because its not going to change with Windows or you can make a fresh start and not have to be another Windows user posting a virus warning/gripe to Free Republic again. I don't run Windows, haven't for over ten years and never had even one virus land on my hard drive. The only problems I have with computer viruses is listening to Windows users complaining about them.

[PhilDragoo]

The tech was in San Francisco and by the time he made it back to Santa Fe, took my computer, removed Badtrans, installed new antivirus features and various refinements, I lost three days.

I asked the tech what motivates these [people] and he said there's so much hate of Microsoft--I stopped him: I'm not Bill Gates, I said. I'm just a guy. Why me. No reply. It's a generational thing; a professional thing. In truth there is a secret reverence for the technical ability--I stipulate.

So here's my message to the piece of crap who sent out the Badtrans: Law schmaw--show your face to me. I will make you unrecognizable.

Hack me, I will return the favor.

[E.G.C.]

Thanks everybody for the replies. As to post number 3. Toupsie, Not all of us are as well off as you are. For many of us, the Microsoft system is best we can afford. It's awfuly easy to say things when you've never been in other people's shoes. I've read your post on other threads concerning viruses and I'm inclined to agree with those who've jumped on you for these kinds of remarks. If you don't want to read about people's problems then don't but you might be a little more understanding and not get so jumpy everytime people like myself address these issues.
Regards

[Stentor]

The only problems I have with computer viruses is listening to Windows users complaining about them.It kinda turns your stomach. ( RH 7.2 )

[toupsie]

Linux is free of charge or for a minimal charge. Send me some Freepmail and I will send you two CDs free of charge of the Madrake 8.1 or RedHat 7.2 distros of Linux. Linux is much cheaper than Windows.

I am not "rich" but I am comfortable. However, I feel it is far more expensive to deal with the constant problems and failures with Windows than my preferred Mac OS X -- I also use Linux and BSD extensively on my x86 computers. You pay a little more in the beginning with Mac OS X but end up saving tons of money in the long run. I never lose productivity or data due to viruses. I am not spending tons of money on firewalls, virus protect and data recovery. My Mac OS X comes with that built-in (sans virus protection we really never have virus outbreaks in Mac OS X or Linux).

[toupsie]

If you don't want to read about people's problems then don't but you might be a little more understanding and not get so jumpy everytime people like myself address these issues.

To me, hearing a Windows user having virus troubles is like listening to homosexuals complain about AIDS. If you didn't engage in a certain pattern of behavior, you wouldn't have the problem. Same thing goes with computers. If you start to realize that the Operating System you are using is causing all kinds of problems in your life, you ought to stop using it. To hear people complain about the same problem over and over and over without resolution is frustrating. Just like homosexuals, when you give the simple solution to problem you get the same reaction, "How dare you question my choices" and personal attacks.

The solution to your problem is available and can be obtainly freely!

[E.G.C.]

Well,Unfortunately not a lot of us have the time or the sophistication to change operating systems. A lot of us have work to do and don't have time the time to worry about things like this until they happen.

It's awfully easy to blame a big business when one of their products doesn't work out the way they like but in this case they're not entirely at fault. Some deranged mind or minds as the case may be created hose viruses and these people need to be brought to answer for what they've done. That's what this thread was all about to let them know that they will one day be held to answer.

Simply going after Microsoft without addressing what other things might be involved when we know it's not totally their fault is not going to help matters. These people did wrong, they know it and they need to answer for it.

And I think we as computer users need to calll for these hackers to be brought to justcie and made an example of so that things like this will never happen again.
Regards.

[toupsie]

Microsoft could make an Operating System that does not have the current problems of its later releases. Because Microsoft does not have any competition on the x86 platform (Linux is not threat on the desktop), they do not have to write secure Operating System. You stated it yourself. You feel you have no choice but Microsoft. You are stuck in the muck with no real chance of escaping in your mind. I feel sorry for you because the longer you use Windows, the more of these sort of days you will have.

As long as Microsoft produces a product as porous as Windows, hackers will be there to take advantage of it. No amount of reasoning will change that fact.

[E.G.C.]

Well, in any event I thank you very much for the offers. We'll see what happens. I think if we get law enforcement that is tough on computer hackers, maybe they'll get the message that this kind of nonsense is just simply unacceptable. I got people in my family who are computer experts. This is the only the second virus I've had since I got his computer for Christmas two years ago.

BTW, for those who have NAV, I just finished downloading the 12/4/01 virus definitions. If you haven't done so already go ahead and update you virus definitions.
Regards.

[toupsie]

I bet you a dollar to a donut that the person that wrote this virus is not an American citizen. Good luck trying to bust a Russian for writing a virus! The only people I have ever heard of since the 80s being jailed for virus writing were Americans.

[BellStar]

"vunderable" or not, why do you think, not many are switching to Linux and Apple's Mac OS X?

[B Knotts]

Thanks everybody for the replies. As to post number 3. Toupsie, Not all of us are as well off as you are. For many of us, the Microsoft system is best we can afford.

I use Linux. It's even cheaper (free). I've gotten quite a few of these things sent to me, as well as the earlier ones. I don't know any of the people it's coming from, so I don't know why I would be in their address books (maybe spammers?).

[B Knotts]

To me, hearing a Windows user having virus troubles is like listening to homosexuals complain about AIDS.

OUCH!

I can't argue with you, though...

[cardinal4]

So why are you posting here?

[Twodees]

I know it, EG. I hate when they come perpatraiting.

[B Knotts]

"vunderable" or not, why do you think, not many are switching to Linux and Apple's Mac OS X?

Most people are lazy. I don't mean that as an insult, necessarily...Heck, I'm lazy about many things, too. But, that's the best explanation, as far as I'm concerned. Microsoft Windows is kinda instant gratification. It takes effort to learn about Linux, and switch to programs that work differently than you're used to.

It's a question of when the perceived payoff is greater than the cost (effort). Maybe that time is soon; I don't know the answer. All I can tell you is that I've been using Linux for my desktop systems for quite some time, and it works for me.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Though I agree with everything you say, I fear that all that you've done is to place a big grin on the perps face and elicited a Beavis-like "huh, huh...cool!".

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

"If you didn't engage in a certain pattern of behavior, you wouldn't have the problem."

It is possible to use Windows exclusively and not be bothered by viruses. I have used many Windows versions in my home and at work for over 10 years and have never been infected. And I use the internet and email a lot. If you take proper care of your machine and seal your ports and keep up on the patches, you can be free of the little critters. You also have to watch where you get your software from.
I guess what I'm saying (though not condoning it) is that it is possible to be a practicing homosexual and not have AIDS.