Computer virus conspiracy theories

[Jaketheclonetrooper]

So, i'm posting this in politics, since most people here are intelligent unlike the imbeciles in general. I want a SERIOUS discussion.

Onto the theories:

1. I think computer viruses are actually made by the makers of ANTI-viruses themselves. I once got a trojan that automatically installed an anti-virus onto my comp. I guess it's like doctors giving you sub-par cures to make you keep coming back (although I don't believe in that one)

2. The maker of the "I LUV U" virus suddenly dissapeared. Yes, the man who made a program that could launch nukes or destroy most of the internet dissapeared. I think the CIA or some other secret government agency pardoned him in exchange for his skills. So it's that he's so good, they pardon him for making a potentially destructive computer virus in exchange for him making viruses for THEM instead.

Discuss.

[IllustriousPotentate]

At 7/19/07 07:57 AM, Jaketheclonetrooper wrote: 1. I think computer viruses are actually made by the makers of ANTI-viruses themselves. I once got a trojan that automatically installed an anti-virus onto my comp. I guess it's like doctors giving you sub-par cures to make you keep coming back (although I don't believe in that one)

I highly doubt that major anti-virus software companies would do that. I mean, it would be easier and cheaper just to overhype existing virus threats than to bother actually going out and making a virus. Moreover, if someone uncovered the plot, the PR would be a whole lot better for a company just overreacting (intentionally or not), than actively creating viruses.

Now these anti-viral software downloads that come with adware or are advertised in the same ad rotations as Shoot the monkey to win an IPOD! ads, anything goes.

2. The maker of the "I LUV U" virus suddenly dissapeared. Yes, the man who made a program that could launch nukes or destroy most of the internet dissapeared. I think the CIA or some other secret government agency pardoned him in exchange for his skills. So it's that he's so good, they pardon him for making a potentially destructive computer virus in exchange for him making viruses for THEM instead.

No more than giving criminals plea deals in exchange for testimony.

[Fr0z3nb14d3]

I would see no reason to create a virus, and spend countless days and weeks spreading it, not to make money. There had to be some motive behind it besides "Hey, I think it would be cool to cost people millions in PC repairs and Anti-Virus software and not make a dime." Either a PC manufacturer or a Anti-Virus company would make the most logical sense to send a virus out there.

At 7/19/07 08:12 AM, IllustriousPotentate wrote: I highly doubt that major anti-virus software companies would do that. I mean, it would be easier and cheaper just to overhype existing virus threats than to bother actually going out and making a virus. Moreover, if someone uncovered the plot, the PR would be a whole lot better for a company just overreacting (intentionally or not), than actively creating viruses.

I agree with this. Creating a virus to make money just wouldn't be a good idea financially. And yeah, then you have the PR to consider if it ever get out, reputations to protect etc.

Original Poster wrote:

2. The maker of the "I LUV U" virus suddenly dissapeared. Yes, the man who made a program that could launch nukes or destroy most of the internet dissapeared. I think the CIA or some other secret government agency pardoned him in exchange for his skills. So it's that he's so good, they pardon him for making a potentially destructive computer virus in exchange for him making viruses for THEM instead.

I'm thinking this one over. It's possible it could be true (at least, more believable than the other theory in my opinion). It's one of those things I'll just have to ponder.

[dreamist]

The only people who make money off of viruses are the people who fix it. There is no real reason for random naer do wells to go about ruining things for everyone. These viruses would probably be contracted, because if the makers tells on the company there would be contractual obligations and whatnot, as well as the maker himself getting whatever penalty it is that virus mongers get when caught.

[KyleTheMadcap]

At 7/19/07 07:57 AM, Jaketheclonetrooper wrote: So, i'm posting this in politics, since most people here are intelligent unlike the imbeciles in general. I want a SERIOUS discussion.

Fair enough.

1. I think computer viruses are actually made by the makers of ANTI-viruses themselves. I once got a trojan that automatically installed an anti-virus onto my comp. I guess it's like doctors giving you sub-par cures to make you keep coming back (although I don't believe in that one)

I suppose, it makes sense.
I wouldn't doubt that a lot of them are.

2. The maker of the "I LUV U" virus suddenly dissapeared. Yes, the man who made a program that could launch nukes or destroy most of the internet dissapeared. I think the CIA or some other secret government agency pardoned him in exchange for his skills. So it's that he's so good, they pardon him for making a potentially destructive computer virus in exchange for him making viruses for THEM instead.

Discuss.

It's quite possible.
There's not much to discuss here, since there's very little evidence toward either side.
If I had to guess, I'd say it was probably FBI, since it's most likely not an international affair, probably taking place on United States soil.
As far as I'm concerned, the C.I.A. is just a bunch of drug dealer terrorists who fly planes into buildings.

[DrewDeathbringer]

At 7/19/07 04:38 PM, KyleTheMadcap wrote:

At 7/19/07 07:57 AM, Jaketheclonetrooper wrote:

1. I think computer viruses are actually made by the makers of ANTI-viruses themselves. I once got a trojan that automatically installed an anti-virus onto my comp. I guess it's like doctors giving you sub-par cures to make you keep coming back (although I don't believe in that one)

Most don't make their own viruses, but some (like mine) will say that a fake virus is trying to download its self on to your computer in order to get you to upgrade or pay more, or even just update more. Also some will download spywear so that they can find out what type of sites the people they are protecting visit.

2. The maker of the "I LUV U" virus suddenly dissapeared. Yes, the man who made a program that could launch nukes or destroy most of the internet dissapeared. I think the CIA or some other secret government agency pardoned him in exchange for his skills. So it's that he's so good, they pardon him for making a potentially destructive computer virus in exchange for him making viruses for THEM instead.

The C.I.A.'s been doing that for a while, along with the F.B.I. and the N.S.A. While I doubt it, it is also possible that they had him 'taken care of' but I doubt it. It is also possible that some other country took him or had him taken out, just so that the U.S. couldn't use him. But I have no real idea about this.

[MattZone]

If you think that writing viruses is bad (not saying that they do, they don't), the anti-virus companies have been duping consumers for years, and it's pretty easy to prove mathematically.

The way that all current commercial anti-virus software works is using a technique called black listing. Here's how it (doesn't) work:

1. New virus is discovered.
2. Virus "signature" is identified and placed on a blacklist.
3. Anti-virus software cross-references files on your computer against the blacklist: if one matches, it takes the appropriate action.

Sounds great, right?

Wrong.

There are two big problems with this approach:

1. The anti-virus software, and you, depend completely on the anti-virus company continuously updating the black list. You are still exposed to new viruses that the anti-virus company hasn't discovered yet or made a "signature" file for. You aren't, and never will be, protected against the newest threats because they aren't discovered until computers are already infected with them. If you haven't gotten a virus yet, it's mostly because of luck and the fact that anti-virus companies have done a reasonably good job of setting up honeypots (computers that are open to new viruses and help identify them) that give early warnings when a new virus is distributed. Whether or not the anti-virus company makes a new "signature" file before the virus gets to you is mostly a matter of luck.

2. Since thousands of new viruses are distributed every year, the blacklist continues to grow. This means the anti-virus software consumes more and more computer resources (cpu time, hard drive space) which severely affects performance. Increases in cpu speed, memory, and hard drive space have somewhat mitigated the problem (just don't try to run a new version of Norton on an old computer), the fact is that if you run commercial anti-virus software, your computer is much slower than it should be.

Question: So what is the solution?

Answer: Anti-virus software that works by using a green list. No, I'm not trying to sell you anything, because there isn't any currently available commercial anti-virus software that works by using a green list.

A green list is the exact opposite of a blacklist: instead of keeping tabs on what shouldn't be on your computer, it keeps tabs on what should be on your computer, and then defends against everything else. A green list is far superior to a black list for the following reasons:

1. Since it knows what should be on your computer, it defends against everything that shouldn't be, including new viruses. It doesn't depend on constant updates to keep your computer secure.

2. Since the number of things that should be on your computer is far smaller than the number of things that shouldn't be, and this number grows at a far slower rate, a green list consumes far less computer resources.

3. You can customize a green list to only include what YOU want running on your computer.

This is the method that the NSA (and presumably C.I.A.) anti-virus software works, and it's the reason there has NEVER been a virus or malicious program inside of the NSA's core systems.

Question: So if the government has this type of anti-virus software, why don't we?

Answer: Because a green list doesn't depend on continuous updates from anti-virus software makers, it is not nearly as profitable as an ever-expanding black list is. Think about it... anti-virus companies don't get your money just once when you buy the software, they get your money every time you renew their subscription to their black list. And that is why no commercial anti-virus company will ever make software that uses a green list.

Can you say "market failure"?

[DrewDeathbringer]

At 7/20/07 01:17 AM, MattZone wrote:

A green list is the exact opposite of a blacklist: instead of keeping tabs on what shouldn't be on your computer, it keeps tabs on what should be on your computer, and then defends against everything else. A green list is far superior to a black list for the following reasons:

1. Since it knows what should be on your computer, it defends against everything that shouldn't be, including new viruses. It doesn't depend on constant updates to keep your computer secure.

2. Since the number of things that should be on your computer is far smaller than the number of things that shouldn't be, and this number grows at a far slower rate, a green list consumes far less computer resources.

3. You can customize a green list to only include what YOU want running on your computer.

I tried something like that once, (I know people) but it screwed up. It said that something that was needed to run windows wasn't, and got rid of it. The computer never worked again. I'm pretty sure that their was a virus, and if it was made well it might have hidden its self in a file that was needed, so that it would be harder to get rid of.

This is the method that the NSA (and presumably C.I.A.) anti-virus software works, and it's the reason there has NEVER been a virus or malicious program inside of the NSA's core systems.

Another problem is that if a hacker gets into your system, he could set up the 'green list' to allow viruses to be downloaded, and unless you check your list daily, you'd be screwed more than a Japanese hooker during E3.

[sdhonda]

Ya, that green list program could cause more problems than it solves....