:1orglaugh Dude, you're a systems programmer and comparing knife attacks to a computer virus. :winkwink: Here's my thought; if it looks like a virus and acts like one I'll call it one. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.

In regard to 2HousePlague's point he was trying to make, I think it's an interesting point. I'd also go off topic and say email spammers should be penalized in much the same way harmful virus writers are penalized - all the billions spent on spam control, bandwidth, individual's time sorting through it, etc. Spam comes into my email box unwanted and sometimes crashes the email client, much like harmful, unwanted programs crashing my system.

[/end off topic]

50 virus and/or spyware programs

edit: 51

How are we viewing a 'spyware/adware' those annoying "you've just visit a porn site, does your wife and children know? click here to remove all evidence" faux-windows warning boxes.

Is the 'you installed it, your fault' voided if to the uneducated user it was a windows system warning

Wrong! Because they are different. It's like in a real life. For example: Grippe, HIV and Herpes are viruses, Typhus, Anthrax, Plague and Gonorrhoea are NOT VIRUSES. Believe you or not, but it's true. BTW, do you know how they (say Herpes and Plague) are differs? :winkwink:

P.S. Russian educating system still ricks!!!

Spware can easily be labeled as a computer virus when looking at a broad definition.
Definition:

"A parasitic program written intentionally to enter a computer without the users permission or knowledge. The word parasite is used because a virus attaches to files or boot sectors and replicates itself, thus continuing to spread. Though some virus's do little but replicate others can cause serious damage or effect program and system performance. A virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system." -Symantec

A functional definition of a computer virus must include the fact that it creates damage to the computer system "infected"; either inadvertently or deliberately. This definition is somewhat simplified and does not cover all virus types, but is sufficient to show the major differences between viruses and so-called "Trojan" programs, which is that the virus replicates, but the Trojan program does not.


http://www.actlab.utexas.edu/~aviva/...us/whatis.html


A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.


http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/v/virus.html



What is a Virus?
A virus is a manmade program or piece of code that causes an unexpected, usually negative, event. Viruses are often disguised games or images with clever marketing titles such as "Me, nude."

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp




Really depends where you look:

http://www.google.com/search?num=100...computer+virus

What the FTC says about Spyware--

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2005/03/050307spywarerpt.pdf

I'm comparing a virus and a knife especially for non-programmers like you just to show all the nonsense of your statement.

Wrong. Spyware doesn't looks and doesn't acts like a virus. HOWEVER, the virus could combine the ability of spyware, as well as it can combine the ability of adware, the ability of file destructor (shredder), the ability of media player (when viruses play some music of show you some animation) etc :winkwink:

Spyware - The "Other" Virus

Thank you -- VERY useful.

Looks like the FTC is looking at exactly the lines I suggested above...



j-

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

As I said above, viruses can bring the spyware modules to your computer, but it doesn't mean that spyware is a virus. It's like a mosquito that could bring a malaria to your blood. But this doesn't mean that malaria is a mosquito. Do you see that I mean?.. ;)

I now declare "spyware" a official virus of the internets.

Nuff said.

Everybody back to work.

Without question, LYNCH THE BASTARDS!!!!!!!

Bring me One person (Just ONE) that thinks getting spyware/malware, or whatever you want to call it, was a good thing, and he/she liked it.
Just bring me ONE!

Yes, cause it slows down every machine.

I hate Spywares.

I wanted to bump this thread to call attention to two maggotware publishers whose programs have been fucking with my computer for more than a week ...

1. Prutect (www.prutect.com), and

2. CoolWebSearch (www.coolwebsearch.com*) *re-directs to www.searchmeup.com.

Check out the prutect.com site -- I think it speaks for itself.

The WhoIs on CoolWebSearch.com identifies one "InterWeb Solutions" as the registrant -- in Tortola -- LOL -- figures.


j-

"you're not welcome in the schoolyard anymore, jimmie" -- works REAL well.

absolutely.