:):):) Offering "Reward" For The Conviction Of Individuals Who Produce Viruses
Microsoft Offers Reward to Stop Viruses
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 5, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. announced Wednesday it is creating a $5 million reward program to help law enforcement identify and convict those who illegally release worms, viruses and other types of malicious programs on the Internet.
Microsoft said the first two rewards it will offer will be for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the spread of the MSBlast.A worm and the SoBig virus unleashed earlier this year.
The company offered $250,000 rewards for each.
Those two malicious programs attacked computers that ran Microsoft's Windows operating system and caused widespread problems for companies and home users earlier this year.
Microsoft executives made the announcement, flanked by representatives of the FBI, Secret Service and Interpol international police agency. Residents of any country are eligible for the rewards, officials said.
``The malicious distribution of worms and viruses ... are far from victimless crimes,'' said Keith Lourdeau, acting deputy assistant director of the FBI Cyber Division. He noted that Internet attacks have cost businesses and home users millions of dollars, with some estimates putting it into the billions.
Microsoft's software has been the target of the most serious Internet attacks over the last two years, and company founder Bill Gates has announced a ``trustworthy computing'' initiative to focus on improving the security of all of Microsoft's products.
Also, Interpol, an international law enforcement organization, will play a critical role in the program by helping the world's police forces to share information.
The role of Interpol is particularly important because the Microsoft initiative is a global one -- a cybercrime that endangers national infrastructure and individuals worldwide.
``Interpol is particularly interested in fighting the malicious spreading of viruses because this represents truly borderless crime that requires a truly global response, a global collaboration between police and private industry,'' said a statement by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble in Lyon, France.
``This Microsoft reward program is an opportunity to continue building effective relationships between the world's police and the private sector in order to prevent and prosecute cybercrime,'' it said.
``While some might consider certain cybercrime offenses to be little more than mischief, they actually threaten the physical security of all of those who rely on technology in their lives,'' said Peter Nevitt, Interpol's Director of Information Systems and Technology.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 5, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. announced Wednesday it is creating a $5 million reward program to help law enforcement identify and convict those who illegally release worms, viruses and other types of malicious programs on the Internet.
Microsoft said the first two rewards it will offer will be for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the spread of the MSBlast.A worm and the SoBig virus unleashed earlier this year.
The company offered $250,000 rewards for each.
Those two malicious programs attacked computers that ran Microsoft's Windows operating system and caused widespread problems for companies and home users earlier this year.
Microsoft executives made the announcement, flanked by representatives of the FBI, Secret Service and Interpol international police agency. Residents of any country are eligible for the rewards, officials said.
``The malicious distribution of worms and viruses ... are far from victimless crimes,'' said Keith Lourdeau, acting deputy assistant director of the FBI Cyber Division. He noted that Internet attacks have cost businesses and home users millions of dollars, with some estimates putting it into the billions.
Microsoft's software has been the target of the most serious Internet attacks over the last two years, and company founder Bill Gates has announced a ``trustworthy computing'' initiative to focus on improving the security of all of Microsoft's products.
Also, Interpol, an international law enforcement organization, will play a critical role in the program by helping the world's police forces to share information.
The role of Interpol is particularly important because the Microsoft initiative is a global one -- a cybercrime that endangers national infrastructure and individuals worldwide.
``Interpol is particularly interested in fighting the malicious spreading of viruses because this represents truly borderless crime that requires a truly global response, a global collaboration between police and private industry,'' said a statement by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble in Lyon, France.
``This Microsoft reward program is an opportunity to continue building effective relationships between the world's police and the private sector in order to prevent and prosecute cybercrime,'' it said.
``While some might consider certain cybercrime offenses to be little more than mischief, they actually threaten the physical security of all of those who rely on technology in their lives,'' said Peter Nevitt, Interpol's Director of Information Systems and Technology.
Comments
Originally posted by MacsRGood4U
Microsoft's software has been the target of the most serious Internet attacks over the last two years, and company founder Bill Gates has announced a ``trustworthy computing'' initiative to focus on improving the security of all of Microsoft's products.
I want to gag every time I see that "trustworthy computing" phrase mindlessly repeated by journalists who have no clue about the doublespeak going on and the play for even more Microsoft market domination that's behind it.
Certainly, the criminals should be caught and punished. I'd personally like to flog them within an inch of their lives, as my job requires me to deal with much of their aftermath. But that in no way excuses Microsoft from its own role in the security problem. I see this as basically the same tactic being used by the recording industry: take actions to scare and severely punish the perpetrators but do nothing on your own end to actually adapt to the changing environment and make the crime more difficult to commit.
I try not to be a Mac elitist or a rabble rouser, but there have got to be repercussions. If there are no legal consequences, there will be economic consequences. Without major, fundamental changes, the internet will become almost completely unusable to Windows users in the very near future, and even the most dense, sheep-like consumers will wake up to this fact. It's only a matter of time.
Originally posted by MacsRGood4U
``While some might consider certain cybercrime offenses to be little more than mischief, they actually threaten the physical security of all of those who rely on Microsoft in their lives,'' said Peter Nevitt, Interpol's Director of Information Systems and Technology.
I took the liberty of correcting his quote.
I have read and re-read your statement, and I have concluded that there is something missing.
Perchance there is a second page of the statement that has gone astray?
While I heartily support your glorious efforts in this noble endeavour, I am also mightily impressed by your commitment. For example, I am sure that any sane gentleman will agree with me that the sum of $5 million must be an almighty burden on your corporate balance sheet. Moreover, this financial burden is indicative of the seriousness that you and your fine colleagues attach to the pesky problem of computer security. As soon as the $5 million announcement receives wider circulation within the general populace, no doubt there will be instances of young ladies swooning, yes swooning, in the streets when they learn of the noble $5 million sacrifice that Microsoft is making. Bravo to you all!
But I digress.
No, the reason I implore you to re-read your statement, is because I was also expecting you to say this:
Microsoft is creating a reward program to help law enforcement identify and convict those who write, sell, release, and distribute software that contains errors, holes, flaws, and defects. Microsoft will offer rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the spread of such henious and vile products.
I am sure you will agree that this is just as important as chasing down those slippery worm-writers. Don't you think?
Or is that being cynical of me?