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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 01/21/2003 3:14:56 PM PST by knighthawk
A hacker who caused chaos with one of the world's most prolific computer viruses has been jailed for two years.
Simon Vallor, 22, spent hours at his bedroom keyboard constructing "enticing" bugs in a bid to ensnare as many victims as possible.
The so-called "mass-mailers" posed as innocent messages of love or timely warnings about security.
In this way one of the viruses spread around the globe, infecting hundreds of thousands of terminals in 46 countries.
It clogged up networks, caused computers to crash, affected institutions, businesses and individuals, and at its height at the beginning of last year was rated the world's third most prolific virus.
Some estimates put the cost of "cleaning up" infected computers into the millions.
And officers connected to the case believe some of the viruses he released are still active.
The web designer and part-time DJ was finally caught after boasting of his exploits on internet chatrooms.
He was arrested on Valentine's Day last year.
Vallor admitted three charges of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 of creating and distributing the viruses during December 2001 and January 2002.
A web designer from Llandudno, North Wales, has appeared in court in connection with creating and distributing three mass-mailing computer viruses: Gokar, Redesi and Admirer.
Simon Vallor, 21, appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London on Friday 8 November to face charges related to the viruses and possession of indecent images of children. He was bailed to appear again on 20 December.
Vallor was originally arrested on 14 February 2002 by North Wales police following information received from the FBI's Baltimore field office. He was charged under section three of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and his computer seized. Upon examination the computer was allegedly found to contain child porn.
W32/Gokar-A made an appearance in Sophos's top ten list of most commonly encountered viruses in January 2002, shortly before Vallor's arrest.
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/articles/vallor.html
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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It's good they caught him while he's young.
(rhetorical question)
No worries. Geeks don't breed.
Ask me how I know. On second thought, don't.
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