Microsoft offers reward to catch virus distributors

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,61086,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_3

 

I wonder if they are serious about it or if it is a publicity stunt. I am sure they would pay the reward . But curious about their motive.

 

Oh joy, more Internet Police! Just what we need...

 

Since VicodinES began "co-operating with the FBI" / "snitching on his friends" (depending on your viewpoint) virus coders have become guarded and insular, and the days when "who coded what" was bandied about in email and on IRC have gone forever.

"Elite" virus coders and trusted AVers with access to virus-related chatrooms knew Chen Ing-Hau and Onel de Guzman were the authors of CIH and Love Letter respectively long before they were interviewed by the authorities ... those guys talked about their creations to their fellow coders ... but the authors of LovSan and Sobig still remain tight-lipped and unknown to this day.

Sure, Microsoft's offer of huge bounties might lead to the capture of a few of the (despised by real virus coders) "script kiddies" and "lamers" ... but current trends indicate that the guys and girls who code serious viruses will simply go further underground.

I personally think Microsoft could have put $5,000,000 to better use investigating and plugging maliciously-exploitable holes in their own operating systems ... but five million bucks is only lunch money to Microsoft, so I guess they can afford it.

 

Interesting post Rodzilla, thanks!

 

FYI...

Experts, IT managers say Microsoft should forget bounty, focus on security

http://computerworld.com/printthis/2003/0,4814,86869,00.html
NOV 05, 2003
"..."I hate to see software vendors diverting their management attention and money toward rewards programs, because rewards programs work only after the damage has been done," Pescatore said. "I would rather see them put the same money and attention on making their software safer in the first place," he said..."

(My note: Amen to that...)