TEEN BLAMED FOR BLASTER VIRUS

SkyNews ^ | 08/29/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

An 18-year-old computer hacker has been identified as the person behind the damaging Blaster computer virus that swept the globe, the FBI has said.

The agency is not naming the American teenager but further details are expected to be released in the near future and he is expected to be arrested.

He is accused of writing one version of the worm-like virus.

Different versions of the worm, also called LovSan, hit around 500,000 computer networks worldwide this month in one of the worst outbreaks this year.

All the Blaster variants took advantage of, and highlighted a flaw in Microsoft Windows software.

The bug affects Windows technology used to share data files across computer networks.

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 infection was quickly dubbed "LovSan" because of a love note left behind on vulnerable computers: "I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!"

Last Updated: 11:03 UK, Friday August 29, 2003

[proxy_user]

Writing viruses is not illegal. You are free to write viruses, run them, and destroy all the computers in your house.

It is only when you try to send the virus to unsuspecting victims that your violate the law.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

As I said on the other thread of the same subject. The sorry little pile of sh*t should be sent to prison with a half full jar of Vaseline for his daddies to use.

[battlegearboat]

Meet the parents.

[Salgak]

Alas, other reports confirm that this isn't the idiot who wrote the ORIGINAL Blaster/LoveSan, but merely modified it and pushed it out as one of the variants, of which there are 6-7 or more out there right now. . .

[yoe]

...definitely hirable...cleaver lad’s expertise should be put to work in the right place....

[al_c]

I think SkyNews jumped the gun on this one. I heard from two different news sources on the radio this morning that he was arrested for helping spread the virus, not writing it. There are others suspected of that.

[Mich0127]

kill the f**ker!!! I got that damn virus TWICE...including the first day of my law school evidence class!!! What a little sh*thead!!!

[Aliska]

Sock it to 'em bump. This one caused a lot of damage. First virus I ever got in 5 years online.

[Koblenz]

This kid, who is 18 and thus an adult, should be severely punished, even if he didn't write the first version. He modified the virus with the intent that it would do damage. It's not cute, it's not funny, and although I wasn't directly affected, a lot of people were. I think that we need to show that we're serious about people who write viruses and who modify viruses so that they spread faster. I have no sympathy for this guy. And yes, while patch was available from Microsoft, this doesn't justify this kid's actions at all.

[savedbygrace]

18 may technically be a "teen", but he's also an adult by law. Git a rope.

[Ditto]

You had 30 over days to fix the problem before it hit your computer, and you're blaming that kid for your misery?

Ya, I blame him. Send his ass to prison and keep it there until he's too damn old to type. I could install bullet-proff glass in my windows. Does that mean it's my fault if someone shoots me through the glass?

[2Jedismom]

I got hit with it too...but it was entirely my own fault...I had absolutely no protection in place. None. Never updated anything...didn't know I was supposed to!

Needless to say, this was a way of giving me a good kick in the pants. I have a few choice words I'd like to say to this young fellow.

But then I also can't help but think...we need to keep kids like this on our side. I hate to see a bright young man like this just tossed in the slammer, if we could convince him to use his talents for the good of his country...

Perhaps I'm just an optimist?

[LibWhacker]

Calculate the total number of man-years of wasted effort and grief this young punk caused and sentence him to the same number of years in prison, without parole.

[stlnative]

The sorry little pile of sh*t should be sent to prison with a half full jar of Vaseline for his daddies to use.

I guess you haven't seen the picture of this big pile of...sh*t, yet?

[Landru]

Skin this *boy* a~LLLLLLive.

...& render 'em down to lamp oil.

[stlnative]

[genxer]

Hi, This is inaccurate. Although the exploit was first noted in July the patch for it was not released until 8/13 or 8/14 at 11 edt. We in the server community were waiting for this patch prior to its release and it showed up a little late but timely none the less.

Thanks,