[clue-tech] Viruses, Trojan Horses

[Matt Durell]

That would be pretty hard to pin down.

It's not the OS that makes it protected... It's the users.  Most users
aren't going to bother running some weird script.  Plus, it's typically
harder to launch something automatically.

Generally, Linux users are more aware than Windows users.  However, it gets
the best of us every once and a while.  Not too long ago I got an email from
a VB developer I know.  Attached was a .vbs script.  I figured it was
something cutesy he did.  I thought twice before opening just-in-case.  I
figured, "the virus checker is running."  Well, even though it was, it
didn't detect this one due to a misconfiguration (bad, bad, *BAD* default
value!).  Needless to say, this worm was fired-off to my boss, my bosses
boss, his boss, and every one of my customers!  I have no acquired the
nickname "Buggy."  I should have read the code.

Anyways, because people that use Linux are generally more "in-tune" this
type of thing would likely not spread.  unfortunately, there are dorks like
me that ruin it for everyone.

BTW, in terms of numbers, I would have to say 0.  I don't know of anything
since the Morris Worm that has been written.  Of course, there is the WWW
which, as useful as it is, may as well be a virus (the net was *SO* much
better back then... Damn Mosaic!).

-----Original Message-----
From: clue-tech-admin at ta8.techangle.com
[mailto:clue-tech-admin at ta8.techangle.com]On Behalf Of Kevin Cullis
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 6:12 PM
To: CLUE-Tech
Subject: [clue-tech] Viruses, Trojan Horses


Hey,

Can anyone find out how many viruses and/or Trojan horses Linux has been
"infected" with?  Grant, I know you and Matt have commented that each of
us can be infected, but chances are less than with Windows stuff.  Could
someone give me an idea, from a number perspective, what Linux is up
against?  Thanks.

Kevin