MyDoom variant targets Microsoft

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missed the point: This was not about defeating anyone, it was about inflicting as much damage as possible as quickly as possible. It was also NOT about taking down desktops (the payload would have been different had it been); the targets you mentioned are the ones they are after, but they are very hard to get to. A DOS attack (or other type of coordinated attack) seems to be the best most can muster against the hardened primary targets.

Follow my points again:
1) Windows has a large installed base ... if you want to launch a DOS attack against someone, you need a large base.
2) Windows is easier to hack ... yes, this was a social-engineering job, but the payload was easier to design for Windows than it would be for another OS.
3) It relied on social engineering to get users to accept it, rather than exploiting a flaw to install itself unaware to the user. Exactly how many servers (*nix or otherwise) and routers are going to fall prey to this kind of social engineering? None.
4) Windows, due to its large base, has a huge percentage of technically inept users. Your average Linux user is not apt to open uninvited attachments, and will recognize an executable for what it is. Not so the average Windows user.

So, you have a gullible population on a large base that is easier to program a payload for. Makes sense.

Oddly, we agreed on all but one point; you stated it was about ease of access and circumvention, which were in my original point; I just took it a step further and said that the reason to exploit that ease of access and circumvention was to obtain a large base to ultimately use.; Posted by: pschroeder@... Posted on: 01/28/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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I need a windows box nite_w0lf | 01/28/04

Conflict? Xunil_Sierutuf | 01/28/04

I need a windows box foxaroni | 01/29/04

Oh well .... travisr | 02/02/04

linux loss izzy70 | 01/29/04

Wow... Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

amen xerxyz | 01/29/04

Why should it not target Microsoft? B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

Ah yes, Linux supporters again. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Who says Linux users are behind it? MarcB_z | 01/28/04

Any criminal investigation starts... No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

And no one's EVER been framed Bobby Sskcat | 01/28/04

Judging by your other posts No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Wow... intelligent response, Bitty... Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

Any criminal investigation starts... NoB$ | 01/28/04

You're wrong. Anton Philidor | 01/28/04

Shills are so easily fooled NoB$ | 01/28/04

The good hard working... IT_User | 01/31/04

Way too much time watching crime stories quietLee | 01/29/04

Even so... John L. Ries | 01/28/04

There is an old saying... No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Wow... Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

No Ax To Grind you are an idiot hipparchus | 01/28/04

Yeah, but.... billywill | 01/28/04

EXE's pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

I know current versions are better but old MS must be fixed hipparchus | 01/28/04

the patches are there pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

if the patches are there, use of them must be enforced hipparchus | 01/28/04

enforcing patches pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

good ideas there peter I hope MS is listening hipparchus | 01/28/04

A little off topic... Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

Wow... Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

stating the obvious pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

What happened to the Russian connection? IT_User | 01/28/04

nothing has happened to it pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Um, Hypocrite Bobby Sskcat | 01/28/04

ASSuming wrong pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Correction pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Exactlly! No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Well actually you have the right idea but are wrong... MkIIISupra | 01/28/04

Yes, but... billywill | 01/28/04

missed the point pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

I think you almost have it right Anton Philidor | 01/28/04

hmmm pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Likely? Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

No Mac attack? billywill | 01/28/04

Re: Who says Linux users are behind it? cbradshaw@... | 01/29/04

Where do the winows idiots come from?? nite_w0lf | 01/28/04

Did you not understand? No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

You mean they are Windows developers? B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

Linux developers pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

based upon history... B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

yes, but... pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Bitty, you're not that stupid... Martin Marvinski | 01/31/04

Re: .. Linux supporters issthatso | 01/28/04

Has someone stolen your ID again? tic swayback | 01/28/04

For the record, if I am wrong I will admit it here. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Get ready to admit it tic swayback | 01/28/04

Spammers targeted SCO? I doubt that. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Missing the point again tic swayback | 01/29/04

Useless r0ckflite | 01/28/04

even more useless pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

The virus came from Russia, look it up! B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

give credit to GROKLAW pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Groklaw does deserve some credit, as does MessageLabs B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

MessageLabs pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

New Mydoom virus variant discovered: W32.Novarg.B@mm B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

still, no keylogger mentioned in the new version ,either (NT) pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

Re: Origin cbradshaw@... | 01/29/04

Eat crow much? tic swayback | 01/28/04

Doubt it. doe_z | 01/28/04

Bit/Don, replace "Linux supporters"... emartin_z | 01/28/04

A rear Linux supporter indeed. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/28/04

Ah yes, Business owners again. hortons@... | 01/28/04

I doubt it skeptic tank | 01/29/04

Re: I doubt it cbradshaw@... | 01/29/04

A bit of possibly useful information. Yen_z | 01/28/04

It's the same on XP systems too doctormoriarty | 01/28/04

Einey, meiney, mighney, moe.... Xunil_Sierutuf | 01/28/04

Oops! Another hole! IT_User | 01/28/04

Yep. Ironic. Yen_z | 01/28/04

Here's a thought on executable attachments billywill | 01/28/04

Users doe_z | 01/28/04

certificates are not enough, deleting exe not great hipparchus | 01/28/04

STOP ALREADY pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

It installed its own SMTP server hipparchus | 01/28/04

Raw socket access pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

but default of off is probably more secure hipparchus | 01/28/04

Raw Sockets JohnW_z | 01/29/04

Good idea pschroeder@... | 01/29/04

YOU dont UNDERSTAND Valis Keogh | 01/29/04

Tell me, how would Linux boxes be immune? John Carroll

| 01/28/04

But this one does IT_User | 01/28/04

Hmm, where'd the link go? IT_User | 01/28/04

Your link can't be followed! Jose Jimenez | 01/28/04

Old info and missed a step Xunil_Sierutuf | 01/28/04

Try this Jose Jimenez | 01/28/04

The problem lies... doe_z | 01/28/04

Linux boxes are far stronger hipparchus | 01/28/04

apology in advance for repeating untruth about lindows hipparchus | 01/28/04

XP Security jfrankcarr | 01/28/04

heavily locked down system generating support calls hipparchus | 01/28/04

Macs are boutique machines jfrankcarr | 01/28/04

it would be rather difficult, and you would mean it! wrench_ninja | 01/28/04

never underestimate a determined user pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

nigeria Valis Keogh | 01/29/04

+Wine doesent run as root (nt) nite_w0lf | 01/28/04

POTENTIAL NEW SECURITY PRODUCT (GET RICH) hipparchus | 01/28/04

The virus originated from Russia B.O.F.H. | 01/28/04

thanks to GROKLAW for your post pschroeder@... | 01/28/04

The MS faithfuls: doomed to misery. michael-t | 01/28/04

Microsoft has screwed over so many people jjon2121 | 01/28/04

SCO uses Gates-ware???? usscharger | 01/29/04

you are AALL annoying as hell Valis Keogh | 01/29/04

linux losers izzy70 | 01/29/04

Tune in Sunday morning IT_User | 01/30/04

Another disadvantage about Linux!!! izzy70 | 01/30/04

snob empty_z | 01/30/04

Oh, come on. No sense targeting Linux... John Zern | 01/31/04

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MyDoom variant targets Microsoft

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