BBC Links Linux To MyDoom 1194
minus_273 writes "It seems the BBC has a story on their front page titled 'Linux cyber-battle turns nasty', very specifically linking Linux users to the MyDoom virus. Some lines to note: 'If anyone's anger has no measure, it is the wrath of internet zealots who believe that code should be free to all (open source). So, it seems likely that the perpetrators of the MyDoom virus and its variants are internet vandals with a specific grudge.'"
Silly BBC... (Score:4, Funny)
Silly BBC, your smoking crack again... (Score:5, Funny)
New to you (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Why I'm not surprised... (Score:5, Funny)
Fact-gathering is passe (Score:5, Funny)
So, it seems likely that the perpetrators of the MyDoom virus and its variants are internet vandals with a specific grudge. SCO is the big, bad company that violates one of their sacred principles, as they would see it.
There's no proof, of course, but it must be one of the theories at the top of any investigator's list.
And this is from a organization which allegedly deals in "news" ?
<grrr>
Just in... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Complain (Score:5, Funny)
Screw that! Someone write a mydoom variant which targets the BBC. That'll teach them to bad mouth linux zealots.
Re:Can't even get the details right (Score:3, Funny)
In an independent study (Score:5, Funny)
I have also linked Saddam Hussein to Iraq and the BBC to Great Britain.
I am very good at linking.
And where is the source? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Why I'm not surprised... (Score:5, Funny)
Well, if MyDoom is indeed "la creme de la creme" in terms of Windows programing, then it is obvious its author is an expert Windows developer, isn't it ?
So, it is quite flattering for the Linux community to associate any of its member to a multiplatform coding genius.
Seems like Illiad has caught on to this as well... (Score:5, Funny)
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=200402
Re:Pretty hilarious... (Score:4, Funny)
There are, however, "investigative" journalists on crack working for slashdot.
MYDOOM found on MOON!!!!!!!!! (Score:5, Funny)
MYDOOM found on MOON
A group of internet "Hackers" have discovered that the MyDoom Virus was, conceived, compiled and unleashed from a small crater, just five minutes walk from the Tyco Monolith!
Well, it's just as believable...
Zealots vs. "normal" people (Score:2, Funny)
I would liken this article and the reactions to other similar news items:
Muslims in middle east are not too fond of Israel. Muslim zealots blow up a coffee shop in Tel Aviv. Most of the world it seems to be done muslims who definitely seem to be zealots. Most people also agree that very few muslims actually do like to blow up coffee shops. Still, at least in the western world, terrorist bomb attacks are mostly associated with muslims, right?
Similarly, many christians have anti-abortion views. Christian zealots gun down abortion clinic workers in the U.S. Again most christians don't like this and most people agree this is not something "normal" christians do. And still these kinds of attacks are kind of automatically associated with right-wing christians, right?
So Linux users are anti MS and anti SCO. Someone creates a virus/worm that attacks MS and SCO. What do people who make the above associations think about this? Well it's obviously Linux zealot doing it, right?
The thing I don't know for sure is, do those people realize the difference between a Linux zealot and a Linux user? Probably those who don't think on lines muslim => terrorist also don't think on lines Linux user => Internet terrorist.
P.S. I'm not taking any sides to anything on this post. Events referred to here are fictional and any resemblance to real world events would be sad and hopefully a figment of your imagination.
THOSE Bastards!! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Silly BBC... (Score:3, Funny)
Anyone know if SCO intend coming back online anytime soon?
Re:Why I'm not surprised... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Pretty hilarious... (Score:5, Funny)
I can't count the number of times I've wished for a "(-1, Martyr)" moderation option.
TheFrood
Re:Pretty hilarious... (Score:2, Funny)
This *is* the BBC we're talking about here. I mean, they're not exactly up to the standards of a true world-class organization like the New York Times.
Re:Why I'm not surprised... (Score:5, Funny)
CmdrTaco! Check your logs for the parent poster's IP address, turn itover to Microsoft, and use the proceeds to hire a coder to incorporate a mandatory spell checker in the Slashdot posting process!
You can use the left-over reward money to buy yourself a T1 line to your house, or get rid of Microsoft ads on Slashdot for a month.
Article text (Score:5, Funny)
By Stephen Evans
BBC North America Business Correspondent
The MyDoom virus has triggered a new wave of attacks from lazy business journalists. It is also looks like a new front [sic] in a war waged by those who want to argue from facts and those who just make up anything that comes into their heads.
It's usually no easier to fathom the motives of virus creators than it is of any other perpetrator of damage for damage's sake. But I'm going to be clever and subtly equate their motives with normal geeks in the first paragraph just to prepare the ground for you. There - done.
In the case of the MyDoom computer worm, the motivation seems clearer. This is a good point and I'll ignore the alarm bells it rings, since I've just said how most virus writers' work is baffling to explain. Then I'll introduce SCO as the victim and assert that the perpetrator was someone devoted to the Linux operating system.
The a quick paragraph on the history of the case which gets almost all major facts wrong followed by an entire section drawn on the very shaky premise that it must have been a geek Linux internet zealot who believes that code should be free to all. A few pointed jabs at Linux users later and I'll quickly admit that there is no proof of any of this, but that my (and of course your) conclusions should be clear.
My conclusion is just as lazy. A nice section of speculation and poor research to finish off - with all the usual trigger phrases like "experts are pondering", "possibility", "might", and "internet blackmail."
By now you can guess that I am an utter moron, with no more qualifications to be a business correspondent than a piece of cheese.
Re:Pretty hilarious... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Can't even get the details right (Score:2, Funny)
In the right border you will find at
"RELATED INTERNET LINKS"
a link to SCO: www.sco.com
Well done BBC!
Nyh
That was a typo (Score:2, Funny)
"We mistakenly said Linux was responsible..."
and
"we actually should have said Linus is responsible..."
If it were programmed by a linux user... (Score:1, Funny)
Well We All Know (Score:4, Funny)
One bad turn deserves another.
-Peter
Re:USE THE FEEDBACK FORM, LUKE!! (Score:2, Funny)
"Dear Sir. I wish to object in the strongest possible terms to the article you have just published, the one about the Linux user who writes viruses. Many of my closest friends are Linux users, and only a few of them are virus writers.
Sincerely,
Brigadeer Sir Charles Arthur Strong (Mrs.)
P.S. I have never kissed the editor of Radio Times."
Re:As a side-note (Score:1, Funny)
If you were a stereotypical geek, your IQ would be through the roof. You would have good spelling and grammar. You would use language correctly when you needed to and cleverly incorrect language when it suited you. In social settings, you would use it so efficiently and correctly it would be a fault.
You would use large words when diminutive ones would do.
Finally, to make you a true geek amongst average people, you would laugh at your own jokes, but nobody else would, since the language would be too complex or too subtle for an average person.
Alas! The above is not you. You are a nerd. You attempt to write seriously, but you bomb your work with gems such as "virii," "... I do not belief it fair
You think people laugh at your jokes, but they are really laughing at your use of language.
You nerd.
Re:My response to the BBC (short and to the point) (Score:1, Funny)
Unpossible (Score:5, Funny)
If it really were a bunch of Linux/Open Source zealots, they'd have shared the MyDoom source code.
GREAT! (Score:2, Funny)
GPL'ed (Score:2, Funny)
Zealots!!! (Score:1, Funny)
Therefore it could not have been an open-source zealot who wrote the worm as the article on BBC implies.
Pfizer (Score:3, Funny)
It is primarily advertising for Viagra.
Re:mod parent up (informative) (Score:2, Funny)
M3 and mi fr3Nds r g0nna k1ll y00 if y00 donT kik sTeph3n eVan5 in ve nuTs! LiNux rOOLz!! If y00 donT p057 mi l3tteR, I'll DD055 yor 5iT3!!! y00 suxxx!!!
There; succinct and to the point, I'm sure you'll all agree.
(actually, kidding aside, I did respond to that article, and suggest others do the same).
That's so easy (Score:2, Funny)
Like all muslim people are potential terrorists.
Anybody with the capability to think by himself will avoid the trap. And well, that's exactly the problem...