A virus writer in China has been arrested for developing and selling viruses. These viruses have infected millions of computers and were targeted to steal passwords for the ubiquitous QQ service, according to Xinhua.
The individual and his associates earned 100,000 Yuan (about US$13,000) selling the viruses to 120 individuals. This criminal team mutated / customized viruses for their customers.
These numbers should scare anyone who cares about the health of the Internet and computer security.
Millions of computers infected for only pennies each (assume "only" 1 million infected computers - the revenue per infection was about US$0.013 while the damage per infection was no doubt much higher).
What we don't know at the moment is how much money the buyers of these viruses made - almost certainly their return on investment was very good (I haven't seen any data on those individuals - help from China / Chinese readers?)
This is for a mass-market, non-targeted infection. To target a specific company or individual, the rate may be higher, though the total cost would likely be the same (since the work is equivalent) but the likelihood of detection would plummet.
The economics of this highly destructive form of computer crime are going to drive its popularity - and commercial virus development scales much better than the current security countermeasures.
Eight arrested in virus case
www.chinaview.cn 2007-02-13 09:13:06
The pictures shows the logo of Xiongmao Shaoxiang (Panda burns joss-sticks), a worm that has hit millions of computers in the country since November 2006.
The individual and his associates earned 100,000 Yuan (about US$13,000) selling the viruses to 120 individuals. This criminal team mutated / customized viruses for their customers.
These numbers should scare anyone who cares about the health of the Internet and computer security.
Millions of computers infected for only pennies each (assume "only" 1 million infected computers - the revenue per infection was about US$0.013 while the damage per infection was no doubt much higher).
What we don't know at the moment is how much money the buyers of these viruses made - almost certainly their return on investment was very good (I haven't seen any data on those individuals - help from China / Chinese readers?)
This is for a mass-market, non-targeted infection. To target a specific company or individual, the rate may be higher, though the total cost would likely be the same (since the work is equivalent) but the likelihood of detection would plummet.
The economics of this highly destructive form of computer crime are going to drive its popularity - and commercial virus development scales much better than the current security countermeasures.
Eight arrested in virus case
www.chinaview.cn 2007-02-13 09:13:06
The pictures shows the logo of Xiongmao Shaoxiang (Panda burns joss-sticks), a worm that has hit millions of computers in the country since November 2006.
by harrold hunt May 9, 2007
Get the Xiongmao Shaoxiang mug.A exclamation showing enthusiastic agreement. Often synonymous with "I second that". Has a positive connotation.
by snow-woman18 December 29, 2020
Get the Meepa shaxa mug.Related Words
A saxxy is when a man dresses up as the Saxton Hale character from the popular video game team fortress 2. Then proceeds to scream “SAXTON HALE!” at the top of his lungs then punch’s a yeti.
Chicks’ll dig this one.
Chicks’ll dig this one.
by Local lawnmower April 11, 2019
Get the Saxxy mug.by nyello_ May 28, 2017
Get the saxx underwear mug.The Saxxy is a golden trophy with a statue of Saxton Hale, the namesake for the trophy, that is awarded to people who have prodcued a winning entry for the Saxxy Awards, an annual animation contest using Source Filmmaker, for reaching a certain category (such as Best Overall, Best Drama, Best Comedy). The Saxxy, when given to winners of the Awards, is dropped to players as a melee weapon for all classes in Team Fortress 2. It functions the same as the stock melee weapon as the wielder's class plays as. Enemies killed with a Saxxy become solid Australium statues for cosmetic effect.
TF2 Animator: *submits a 3 minute long high-quality comedy animation for Saxxys*
The entry wins.
TF2 Animator: *loads up TF2 and sees a alert saying the player has a new item*
The new items is the Saxxy award with the description saying which category the animator has won, in this case, it's Best Comedy.
The entry wins.
TF2 Animator: *loads up TF2 and sees a alert saying the player has a new item*
The new items is the Saxxy award with the description saying which category the animator has won, in this case, it's Best Comedy.
by PurpleSpie April 28, 2020
Get the Saxxy mug.A typical funny person who sometimes calls himself “staxxvroy” he loves g herbo and has an addiction to the game called “apex legends” he sometimes posts memes or sometimes his game play and he is also afraid of girls (sorry staxx)
have you heard of staxxdiditagain ? he just posted on instagram “ who is that?” oh that’s just “staxx for president”
by Slizzyglizzy July 1, 2021
Get the Staxxdiditagain mug.by Ichigokurosakicoldasf April 14, 2022
Get the Shaxmanii mug.