Computer Viruses
Kristin Biefer
(http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
ml)
by Mark Leon
Peopleｹs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
New Yearｹs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
of Y2K is ludicrous."
Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
viruses just by visiting a website.
The author argues that everyoneｹs best defense is anti-virus software
that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
Microsoftｹs greatest success吃aving almost a total software monopoly喫s
part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
their software against them.
Dimple Khurana
Kristin Biefer <kibi...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> Viruses Boom on the Net
> (http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
> ml)
> by Mark Leon
>
> Peopleąs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
> launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
> New Yearąs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
> analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
> any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
> of Y2K is ludicrous."
>
> Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
> virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
> email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
>
> Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
> standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
> percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
> were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
> macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
> monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
> real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
> viruses just by visiting a website.
>
> The author argues that everyoneąs best defense is anti-virus software
> that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
> Microsoftąs greatest success‹having almost a total software monopoly‹is
> part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
> their software against them.
Hi, well I really enjoyed your posting. It really worries me that there
are so many viruses out there and that the programs we use everyday are
potentially making it easier for viruses to be created. Regarding the
whole Y2K issue, I think all of that was nonsense and made up by people
who obviously has no life.
Dimple Khurana
Steven Amorim
Kristin Biefer <kibi...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> Viruses Boom on the Net
> (http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
> ml)
> by Mark Leon
>
> Peopleąs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
> launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
> New Yearąs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
> analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
> any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
> of Y2K is ludicrous."
>
> Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
> virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
> email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
>
> Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
> standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
> percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
> were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
> macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
> monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
> real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
> viruses just by visiting a website.
>
> The author argues that everyoneąs best defense is anti-virus software
> that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
> Microsoftąs greatest success‹having almost a total software monopoly‹is
> part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
> their software against them.
I feel that there should be a greater protection against hackers and
viruses. There should be more preventative measures against hackers so
that when a hacker is attempting to enter your computer a warning shows
up so that we can take measures to stop them.
AnnMarie Edwrd
Kristin Biefer <kibi...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> Viruses Boom on the Net
> (http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
> ml)
> by Mark Leon
>
> Peopleąs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
> launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
> New Yearąs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
> analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
> any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
> of Y2K is ludicrous."
>
> Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
> virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
> email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
>
> Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
> standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
> percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
> were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
> macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
> monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
> real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
> viruses just by visiting a website.
>
> The author argues that everyoneąs best defense is anti-virus software
> that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
> Microsoftąs greatest success‹having almost a total software monopoly‹is
> part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
> their software against them.
I thought your summary about viruses was quite interesting. I did not
realize that you can get a virus just by accessing a website. Like your
article states, I do believe that the Y2K chaos was ridiculous and it
was a waste of time worrying about something that was never going to
happen. I really enjoyed your article!
Jeannie Chan
Kristin Biefer <kibi...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> Viruses Boom on the Net
> (http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
> ml)
> by Mark Leon
>
> Peopleąs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
> launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
> New Yearąs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
> analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
> any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
> of Y2K is ludicrous."
>
> Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
> virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
> email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
>
> Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
> standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
> percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
> were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
> macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
> monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
> real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
> viruses just by visiting a website.
>
> The author argues that everyoneąs best defense is anti-virus software
> that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
> Microsoftąs greatest success‹having almost a total software monopoly‹is
> part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
> their software against them.
I agree with Kristin. Since most people use Microsoft software, virus
that is designed to infiltrate these software will be able to spread
more quickly and easily.
Christy Xi Luo
Kristin Biefer <kibi...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> Viruses Boom on the Net
> (http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
> ml)
> by Mark Leon
>
> Peopleąs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
> launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
> New Yearąs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
> analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
> any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
> of Y2K is ludicrous."
>
> Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
> virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
> email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
>
> Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
> standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
> percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
> were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
> macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
> monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
> real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
> viruses just by visiting a website.
>
> The author argues that everyoneąs best defense is anti-virus software
> that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
> Microsoftąs greatest success‹having almost a total software monopoly‹is
> part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
> their software against them.
HI,
Thank you for providing some really useful information regarding virus
from the net. Personally, I agree that this issue has disrrupted
numberous important operations around the world, as well as distroyed
important information, as we probably have all experienced. As a matter
of fact, the only reason that the computer-age isn't stable in some
people's perspective is that we human still can't seem to have control
over the effects of virus and how to cure them. It's important that we
are aware of the issue and take precautions against it.
Once again, great info.
Christy Luo
Kam Ka Cheung
Kristin Biefer <kibi...@student.cs.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
> Viruses Boom on the Net
> (http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/01/18/virus.boom.idg/index.ht
> ml)
> by Mark Leon
>
> Peopleąs fears that hackers wold take advantage of the Y2K chaos and
> launch a massive computer virus attack were completely unfounded, as on
> New Yearąs Eve 1999 nothing really happened. Charles Rustein, a computer
> analyst, says that part of the reason for this is that "the notion that
> any virus writer could time a virus outbreak to occur exactly on the eve
> of Y2K is ludicrous."
>
> Instead the bigger problem was dealing with people that sent Y2K hoax
> virus through email and websites. A common virus was contained within an
> email claiming to be from Bill Gates or Microsoft.
>
> Part of the reason viruses can be so effective is because of the
> standardized nature of computers and the Internet. In 1998 almost ninety
> percent of the nearly 200 million computers connected to the Internet
> were running Windows, Word, and Excel which makes writing effective
> macro viruses easy. Computers on the Internet are likened to
> monocultures found in the natural world, which are highly susceptible to
> real viruses. Java and ActiveX are also problems because people can get
> viruses just by visiting a website.
>
> The author argues that everyoneąs best defense is anti-virus software
> that automatically updates itself. He also points out that part of
> Microsoftąs greatest success‹having almost a total software monopoly‹is
> part of its greatest failing, as virus attacks use the popularity of
> their software against them.
From Paul:....a very good summary.