Free computer virus finds willing victims

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:33 am

Free computer virus finds willing victims

HELSINKI, Finland (Reuters) -- Computer specialist Didier Stevens put up a simple text advertisement on the Internet offering downloads of a computer virus for people who did not have any.

Surprisingly, he found as many as 409 people clicking on the ad saying "Is your PC virus-free? Get it infected here!" during a 6-month advertising campaign on Google's Adword, said the IT security expert.

"Some of them must have clicked on it by mistake. Some must have been curious or stupid," said Mikko Hypponen, head of research at data security firm F-Secure.

There was no virus involved, it was an experiment aiming to show these kind of advertising systems can be used for malicious intent, Stevens told Reuters.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/internet/0 ... index.html

sirwilliam · Post by **sirwilliam** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:13 am

So it's free, sign me up!

I am not surprised one bit at the results. I know my mother and aunt would have clicked on that one...probably a couple times

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:13 am

the plainly idiotic are the bane of my existence, but i've learned to appreciate them in all their helpless splendor because it's people of their ilk who keep me gainfully employed.

Post by **complacent** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:20 am

I wish people really paid more attention as to what they were doing with technology. It's going to

rule us all one day.

Libra Monkee · Post by **Libra Monkee** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:54 am

My computer hasn't has a debilitating virus in quite some time. Sounds interesting! *click*
O NOES!!! T3H INNARNETS HATH REEKT HAV0K ON MAH SYSTM!
---------

Morons. I've said it before and I haven't been proved wrong yet, "People are idiots".

Post by **Sabre** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:01 pm

So you're saying I shouldn't have clicked it?