August 30, 2001

1:01 PM

Latest Internet/Email Wormfound by anti-virus company, Central Command, whom then sent out the press release announcing the worm along with information on how to purchase their anti-virus software. Is it just me, or does this cry, "Let's create a worm and then announce it along with links to buy our software!"
posted by physics (4 comments total)

One would hope that the general population of computer users is smart enough to realize that Microsoft can afford to hire some proofreaders. Boy, do virus writers have some awful grammar.
posted by zempf at 1:04 PM on August 30, 2001

An anti-virus firm doesn't have to create the actual worm, just create fear and confusion around the worm.
posted by tranquileye at 1:04 PM on August 30, 2001

Just so tranquileye. Not only that they can faithfully rely on the media, particularly CNN for some reason, to create not just fear and confusion, but, if at all possible, panic and mass hysteria.

I'm sorry, but I'm at the "Another virus - *YAWNNNN* - update definitions - get on with life" stage and have been for a few years now. The only real entertainment is reading how every computer in the known universe and a few billion more will be destroyed by the latest virus.

Best analyses of some of these scares is at vmyths.
posted by Option1 at 1:37 PM on August 30, 2001

although, it doesn't take much of a cynic to wonder if McAfee has a number of un-acknowleged employees in eastern europe cranking out worms...
posted by o2b at 2:31 PM on August 30, 2001