Microsoft has announced that it’s offering a reward of $250,000, to help find the creator of the Downadup/Conficker virus. The virus, a worm that’s been infecting systems since last October, has infected as many as 12 million systems; according to Arbor Networks.
George Stathakopulos, of Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group told BBC news;
“People who write this malware have to be held accountable. Our message is very clear – whoever wrote this caused significant pain to our customers and we are sending a message that we will do everything we can to help with your arrest.”
Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant for anti-virus firm Sophos told The Telegraph;
“Microsoft’s reputation is badly shaken whenever a computer virus causes widespread problems for its users. Offering substantial rewards can do no harm. If a culprit isn’t found then Microsoft hasn’t lost anything, and it may just entice some members of the computer underground to come forward with information.
The Conficker worm was only able to spread so widely, because of the huge number of PC’s, which do NOT regularly apply Microsoft’s security updates.
He’d have to be a very stupid hacker to let other people that would sell him out KNOW that he developed this worm. I don’t think this will do MS any good.. though it’s intriguing how they’re trying to play cops and robbers on the internet.. soon we may just start seeing WANTED ads with a rough sketch of a geek holding a laptop as his weapon.. be very scared! *apply sarcism where necessary*
Clay,
OK – That was the funniest comment here this week. Nice one Clay!!
RT @thetechnewsblog – “Microsoft put $250000 bounty on head of virus writer!” http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw
RT @thetechnewsblog: “Microsoft put $250000 bounty on head of virus writer!” http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw
RT @gacconsultants: RT @thetechnewsblog – “Microsoft put $250000 bounty on head of virus writer!” http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw
http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw <– interesting post at technewsblog about Microsoft/Virus
This is cool. Microsoft offers a 250K reward for virus authors. http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw
RT @thetechnewsblog: “Microsoft put $250000 bounty on head of virus writer!” http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw
Thanks for sharing this article Jim. To be honest, I’m surprised they haven’t tried putting up a reward before (unless I missed it somewhere) for some of the nasty viruses that have wreaked havoc on MS systems.
As far as what Clay says about the hacker probably not telling anyone “they” did this unless they were stupid, I beg to differ. The mentality of this type of individual, more often than not, will have posted, or emailed someone in “the community” about their latest “victory”.
As the owner of a local PC repair and upgrade biz since ’99 having to deal with this tripe, I can tell you they like nothing better than to thumb their noses at MS at every opportunity, so I’m sure this one is probably no different. I’ve been to many “underground sites” trying to find the cure for this, that and the other virus/trojan and they all love to brag. Sad, but true.
RT: @mayhemstudios: RT @thetechnewsblog “Microsoft put $250,000 bounty on head of virus writer!” http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw #Microsoft
RT @jdesignz: RT: @mayhemstudios: RT @thetechnewsblog “Microsoft put $250,000 bounty on head of virus writer!” http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw
Only $250 000? Come on this is worth at least a million!
There is a program called wormguard that runs on windows that suppose to stop worm infections. I haven’t used it in a long time.
[...] people / person behind cornflicker has REALLY pissed off Microsoft – so much so that Microsoft are offering a reward of $250,000 for information leading to the capture of its [...]
My worry about the latest cornflicker warning, is that people will think it’s an April fool joke.
@BarryCarlyon nah dont shoot them in the face, you should just cash in on it lol http://tinyurl.com/br3mdw