Happy New Year: Y2K viruses ready
ZDNet > Tech News > Computing > Happy New Year: Y2K viruses ready
By Reuters , November 2, 1999 12:34 PM PT
More than 30,000 threats from computer hackers and virus writers who say
they will release new viruses to herald the new year and the new millennium
have been logged by the FBI and other law enforcement groups,
said Lou Marcoccio, worldwide research director at the technology consulting
firm Gartner Group.
"Most of these threats will probably amount to nothing,' Marcoccio told
Reuters after addressing a community banking industry convention in Orlando.
"But if just five or 10 viruses are released at the same time, that
would overwhelm the ability of ... companies that produce the fixes.
It could cause substantial productivity losses.'
In the case of the Melissa virus earlier this year, most computer users,
whether individuals or corporations, were able to protect their e-mail
and messaging systems because code writers could replicate the virus and
distribute the fixes before the virus' release date.
"But these companies can't work on 10 fixes at once,' Marcoccio said.
Most computer viruses are the work of amateur hackers who are known to one
another and gain status by releasing new and successful viruses, he said.
Jan. 1 an appealing target
The date Jan. 1, 2000, presents a very appealing target date for such viruses.
"A lot of these guys don't even care if they get arrested.
They just want to be remembered,' Marcoccio said.
The following is where the home page is. zdnet.com
My only contact is a request for permission to post a specific article.
Note: Do not copy or reference this SI Doug A K post, per see below.
Copyright (c) 1999 ZDNet.
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium
without express written permission of ZDNet is prohibited.
ZDNet and the ZDNet logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Inc. |
