Trey Brown
2/14/09
11:50 am
By now everyone might have heard of the computer virus dubbed Downadup or Conflicker, whether by someone worried about their expensive hardware or on a news bite. Apparently it has become a problem far greater than anyone previously could have accounted for. At last glance the virus was speculated to have infected around 9 million computers since it release some time around October of last year. Now it is estimated to have swelled to over 12 million worldwide. This has pushed Microsoft to offer up a bounty worth a quarter of a million dollars because the view this virus that utilizes a portion of the code in their Operating system (OS) as a criminal attack on them and their assets. Microsoft has partner with domain name communities, internet companies such as AOL, and government agencies such as The US Department of Justice and Homeland Security.
Despite the desperate nature of this situation is it a good sign that the private sector is attempting to become involved in police actions across the globe and might it be a sign of things to come. It is more than appropriate for people and companies to wish to draw together in these uncertain times but privately funded witch hunts might not be the best way to set the tone. It is in everyone’s interest to be rid of the Downadup/Conflcker virus and cooperation is always a good thing if it means less crime throughout the world. Yet it is also best to be aware that more often than not companies and businesses are out for their own ends and no one else’s.
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