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  3. From SlashDot: Teen makes Trojan Horse disguised as image [modified]

From SlashDot: Teen makes Trojan Horse disguised as image [modified]

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  • D Dan Neely

    I suspect it was a truely random selection the first time. IF it randomly picked a nonsense image the perv would just delete it.

    -- Rules of thumb should not be taken for the whole hand.

    I Offline
    I Offline
    Ilion
    wrote on last edited by
    #16

    There is that. Since it was a program, and since running it would (presumably) install it on the PC, it probably wouldn't really have mattered whether or not the image displayed was of the sort the pervert expected to see.

    1 Reply Last reply
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    • B Bassam Abdul Baki

      I've read something were Playboy and other professional art galleries use something similar to see who's copying there files. Can't find the original article, but here's another[^]. And I personally think this guy's a hero. There's no difference between this guy doing it and other major corporations spying on the public. He at least is putting scum behind bars.


      "I know which side I want to win regardless of how many wrongs they have to commit to achieve it." - Stan Shannon Web - Blog - RSS - Math - LinkedIn - BM

      I Offline
      I Offline
      Ilion
      wrote on last edited by
      #17

      "He at least is putting scum behind bars." Sure, but knowing how screwed-up things are these days, what do you think his odds are of staying on this side of the bars?

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • B Bassam Abdul Baki

        I've read something were Playboy and other professional art galleries use something similar to see who's copying there files. Can't find the original article, but here's another[^]. And I personally think this guy's a hero. There's no difference between this guy doing it and other major corporations spying on the public. He at least is putting scum behind bars.


        "I know which side I want to win regardless of how many wrongs they have to commit to achieve it." - Stan Shannon Web - Blog - RSS - Math - LinkedIn - BM

        J Offline
        J Offline
        JimmyRopes
        wrote on last edited by
        #18

        Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

        I've read something were Playboy and other professional art galleries use something similar to see who's copying there files.

        There is no comparison here! :confused: Playboy, and others, are watermarking their (emphases on their) images and scanning the internet to see if anyone is posting their images without proper permission. :doh: This guy is distributing a Trojan that is installing itself on your [editorially speaking] computer and allowing him to view your [again editorially] personal data. X| Where is there even the slightest hint of common method here? :confused: In the case of Playboy they are scanning a public resource, the internet, for misuse of their images. :cool: In the case of the virus writer he is intruding on private resources, albeit some of which are owned by despicable people, when he has no legal right to be monitoring these resources. X| I know that child pornography is an emotionally charged subject, and I deplore pornography, child or otherwise, because it makes objects of people, but I cannot condone unethical means being used to combat it. :rolleyes: It is ironic that I find myself coming to the defense of Playboy but what they are doing is perfectly within their right. What this virus writer is doing is simply illegal and of questionable morality, regardless of the cause he is crusading. :doh:

        Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
        Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
        I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

        B L 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • L lost in transition

          Slashdot link: http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/02/22/0223239.shtml[^] News Artical: http://www.crime-research.org/news/2002/08/Mess1901.htm[^] This is diffently on to talk about. He breaks the law to catch sick people in thier sick addictions. Should he be charged for breach of privacy? The law is the law, so wrong is wrong. (I know the next question propable only U.S. folks will understand.) Could this relate to what to group that is called the 'Minute Men' (I think) that watch our southern board for people crossing the river? But then again unless they hurt someone they have done nothing wrong, right? So, unless this hacker used the information gathered to hurt someone i.e.:identity thief or retrieve money from bank accounts. Then he was done nothing wrong, right? Lastly, how do you think he hide the trojan horse in the images? -- modified at 9:25 Thursday 22nd February, 2007


          God Bless, Jason
          Programmer: A biological machine designed to convert caffeine into code.
          Developer: A person who develops working systems by writing and using software. [^]

          R Offline
          R Offline
          Rage
          wrote on last edited by
          #19

          jason_lakewhitney wrote:

          he hide the trojan horse in the images

          You can hide a lot of things into images, ask Corinna[^]

          Company policy : no access to the internet but CP ~RaGE()

          1 Reply Last reply
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          • J JimmyRopes

            Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

            I've read something were Playboy and other professional art galleries use something similar to see who's copying there files.

            There is no comparison here! :confused: Playboy, and others, are watermarking their (emphases on their) images and scanning the internet to see if anyone is posting their images without proper permission. :doh: This guy is distributing a Trojan that is installing itself on your [editorially speaking] computer and allowing him to view your [again editorially] personal data. X| Where is there even the slightest hint of common method here? :confused: In the case of Playboy they are scanning a public resource, the internet, for misuse of their images. :cool: In the case of the virus writer he is intruding on private resources, albeit some of which are owned by despicable people, when he has no legal right to be monitoring these resources. X| I know that child pornography is an emotionally charged subject, and I deplore pornography, child or otherwise, because it makes objects of people, but I cannot condone unethical means being used to combat it. :rolleyes: It is ironic that I find myself coming to the defense of Playboy but what they are doing is perfectly within their right. What this virus writer is doing is simply illegal and of questionable morality, regardless of the cause he is crusading. :doh:

            Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
            Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
            I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

            B Offline
            B Offline
            Bassam Abdul Baki
            wrote on last edited by
            #20

            Actually, he's posting his Trojan in an illegal forum as pedophilia, and if someone wishes to download it, he's not forcing them. Same reasoning as downloading a Playboy image. However, this guy is smart. He's not going after people who just download because they could just be looking for porn, be other hackers, or knows that they can't be imprisoned for viewing (first amendment and all). He also knows that there's enough real scum out there for him not to waste time on the downloaders. However, the posters are the one he's going after and I think he's doing a great job where police officials are severely lacking or not capable of doing. How different is this from Google cookies, or a private investigator sent to spy on someone, or the bounty-hunter guy who goes out and find people? Everybody has a reason and an excuse, at least this guy's were more honorable.


            "This perpetual motion machine she made is a joke. It just keeps going faster and faster. Lisa, get in here! In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!" - Homer Simpson Web - Blog - RSS - Math - LinkedIn - BM

            J 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • L lost in transition

              Slashdot link: http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/02/22/0223239.shtml[^] News Artical: http://www.crime-research.org/news/2002/08/Mess1901.htm[^] This is diffently on to talk about. He breaks the law to catch sick people in thier sick addictions. Should he be charged for breach of privacy? The law is the law, so wrong is wrong. (I know the next question propable only U.S. folks will understand.) Could this relate to what to group that is called the 'Minute Men' (I think) that watch our southern board for people crossing the river? But then again unless they hurt someone they have done nothing wrong, right? So, unless this hacker used the information gathered to hurt someone i.e.:identity thief or retrieve money from bank accounts. Then he was done nothing wrong, right? Lastly, how do you think he hide the trojan horse in the images? -- modified at 9:25 Thursday 22nd February, 2007


              God Bless, Jason
              Programmer: A biological machine designed to convert caffeine into code.
              Developer: A person who develops working systems by writing and using software. [^]

              J Offline
              J Offline
              Joe Woodbury
              wrote on last edited by
              #21

              This raises several legal questions. Can the evidence he gathered can even be used legally in court? I'm pretty sure it can't be. One issue is establishing a chain of custody--how do we know he didn't plant this material on the computers of people as some sort of sick joke? A bigger issue is using evidence gathered using illegal means. The courts take a dim view of police using proxies to do what they can't do. In this case, what the guy was doing is illegal under most country's laws. The big US constitutional issue is whether evidence gathered illegally can be used as the sole reason to create a warrant that results in gathering evidence independent of the original source. If I remember right, the US courts have recently said that you can't do that. Whatever the emotional appeal of vigilantism, it greatly worries me. History shows that what starts as a noble effort usually ends up being a witch hunt that hurts many innocent people. For all of the problems of government law enforcement, there is at least some accountability in most democratic countries (not enough, but some.) It's bad enough that our civil rights are being eroded by our elected officials; having them eroded by private citizens is worse. (While child pornography is in a category all its own, I can't help but think of the KKK of years past lynching black men for even talking to white women. I also worry about the entrapment aspects of all this. Yes, there are people who are on the line of legality, but who wouldn't have crossed that line without the heavy manipulation of law enforcement.)

              Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine. - P.J. O'Rourke

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • L lost in transition

                Slashdot link: http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/02/22/0223239.shtml[^] News Artical: http://www.crime-research.org/news/2002/08/Mess1901.htm[^] This is diffently on to talk about. He breaks the law to catch sick people in thier sick addictions. Should he be charged for breach of privacy? The law is the law, so wrong is wrong. (I know the next question propable only U.S. folks will understand.) Could this relate to what to group that is called the 'Minute Men' (I think) that watch our southern board for people crossing the river? But then again unless they hurt someone they have done nothing wrong, right? So, unless this hacker used the information gathered to hurt someone i.e.:identity thief or retrieve money from bank accounts. Then he was done nothing wrong, right? Lastly, how do you think he hide the trojan horse in the images? -- modified at 9:25 Thursday 22nd February, 2007


                God Bless, Jason
                Programmer: A biological machine designed to convert caffeine into code.
                Developer: A person who develops working systems by writing and using software. [^]

                M Offline
                M Offline
                Mark Salsbery
                wrote on last edited by
                #22

                Just another example of why the Canadians can't be trusted.

                "Do you know what it's like to fall in the mud and get kicked... in the head... with an iron boot? Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. It's a dumb question... skip it."

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • B Bassam Abdul Baki

                  Actually, he's posting his Trojan in an illegal forum as pedophilia, and if someone wishes to download it, he's not forcing them. Same reasoning as downloading a Playboy image. However, this guy is smart. He's not going after people who just download because they could just be looking for porn, be other hackers, or knows that they can't be imprisoned for viewing (first amendment and all). He also knows that there's enough real scum out there for him not to waste time on the downloaders. However, the posters are the one he's going after and I think he's doing a great job where police officials are severely lacking or not capable of doing. How different is this from Google cookies, or a private investigator sent to spy on someone, or the bounty-hunter guy who goes out and find people? Everybody has a reason and an excuse, at least this guy's were more honorable.


                  "This perpetual motion machine she made is a joke. It just keeps going faster and faster. Lisa, get in here! In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!" - Homer Simpson Web - Blog - RSS - Math - LinkedIn - BM

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  JimmyRopes
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #23

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  Actually, he's posting his Trojan in an illegal forum as pedophilia, and if someone wishes to download it, he's not forcing them.

                  Firstly the forums he is posting his Trojan in aren't illegal; of an objectionably nature yes, but not illegal. :doh: A forum devoted to pedophilia would probably be illegal but a forums where pedophiles lurk but is intended for other things doesn't make them illegal. :~

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  Same reasoning as downloading a Playboy image.

                  Not the same reason at all. :rolleyes: Playboy images, although exploitive and demeaning in my opinion, are not child pornography. :doh: They have been interpreted by the courts to be within the legal framework of the society. Regardless of my personal feelings about Playboy images they are legal to be posted on the internet and used according to the licensed use provided by the authors. What Playboy is doing is well within their right. :doh: What the virus writer is doing is advertising pornography and downloading a virus! X| What don't you understand about downloading a virus, regardless of the lie to get you to download it or target audience, as not being illegal? :confused:

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  However, this guy is smart.

                  Devious yes, smart not demonstrated by his actions. :~

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  He's not going after people who just download because they could just be looking for porn, be other hackers, or knows that they can't be imprisoned for viewing (first amendment and all).

                  What gives him a legal right to go after anyone in the way he is going about it? X| I must ask again what don't you understand about downloading a virus, regardless of the come on or target audience, as not being illegal? :rolleyes: He is not empowered by the legal authorities to spy on people. He is invading their computer, reading their personal email and capturing their files. He is a criminal regardless of his good intentions. :doh:

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  How different is this from Google cookies

                  I seriously doubt that Google is reading your private emails or installing virus programs on your computer. :rolleyes:

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  o

                  B 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • J JimmyRopes

                    Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                    I've read something were Playboy and other professional art galleries use something similar to see who's copying there files.

                    There is no comparison here! :confused: Playboy, and others, are watermarking their (emphases on their) images and scanning the internet to see if anyone is posting their images without proper permission. :doh: This guy is distributing a Trojan that is installing itself on your [editorially speaking] computer and allowing him to view your [again editorially] personal data. X| Where is there even the slightest hint of common method here? :confused: In the case of Playboy they are scanning a public resource, the internet, for misuse of their images. :cool: In the case of the virus writer he is intruding on private resources, albeit some of which are owned by despicable people, when he has no legal right to be monitoring these resources. X| I know that child pornography is an emotionally charged subject, and I deplore pornography, child or otherwise, because it makes objects of people, but I cannot condone unethical means being used to combat it. :rolleyes: It is ironic that I find myself coming to the defense of Playboy but what they are doing is perfectly within their right. What this virus writer is doing is simply illegal and of questionable morality, regardless of the cause he is crusading. :doh:

                    Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
                    Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
                    I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    lost in transition
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #24

                    stand up and bow.

                    JimmyRopes wrote:

                    It is ironic that I find myself coming to the defense of Playboy

                    :laugh::laugh::laugh:


                    God Bless, Jason
                    Programmer: A biological machine designed to convert caffeine into code.
                    Developer: A person who develops working systems by writing and using software. [^]

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • J JimmyRopes

                      Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                      Actually, he's posting his Trojan in an illegal forum as pedophilia, and if someone wishes to download it, he's not forcing them.

                      Firstly the forums he is posting his Trojan in aren't illegal; of an objectionably nature yes, but not illegal. :doh: A forum devoted to pedophilia would probably be illegal but a forums where pedophiles lurk but is intended for other things doesn't make them illegal. :~

                      Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                      Same reasoning as downloading a Playboy image.

                      Not the same reason at all. :rolleyes: Playboy images, although exploitive and demeaning in my opinion, are not child pornography. :doh: They have been interpreted by the courts to be within the legal framework of the society. Regardless of my personal feelings about Playboy images they are legal to be posted on the internet and used according to the licensed use provided by the authors. What Playboy is doing is well within their right. :doh: What the virus writer is doing is advertising pornography and downloading a virus! X| What don't you understand about downloading a virus, regardless of the lie to get you to download it or target audience, as not being illegal? :confused:

                      Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                      However, this guy is smart.

                      Devious yes, smart not demonstrated by his actions. :~

                      Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                      He's not going after people who just download because they could just be looking for porn, be other hackers, or knows that they can't be imprisoned for viewing (first amendment and all).

                      What gives him a legal right to go after anyone in the way he is going about it? X| I must ask again what don't you understand about downloading a virus, regardless of the come on or target audience, as not being illegal? :rolleyes: He is not empowered by the legal authorities to spy on people. He is invading their computer, reading their personal email and capturing their files. He is a criminal regardless of his good intentions. :doh:

                      Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                      How different is this from Google cookies

                      I seriously doubt that Google is reading your private emails or installing virus programs on your computer. :rolleyes:

                      Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                      o

                      B Offline
                      B Offline
                      Bassam Abdul Baki
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #25

                      Sometimes the ends justifies the means. In this case, I commend what he's doing and gets rewarded with money or a job from it.


                      "The trouble with the profit system has always been that it was highly unprofitable to most people." - E. B. White Web - Blog - RSS - Math - LinkedIn - BM

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