Yianni Patsalos

Computers

Dr. Wolf

March 29, 2006

The Virus World

Who doesn’t know what a virus is, the ever taunting, annoying, and malicious code that infects commuters as if it were a disease, trying to kill it. Virus writers call it an art form, which truly it is because they are using a language. Virus writers just create the viruses and release the code on the internet for educational purposes and to show intellect. Since the code is online, it has the ability to be copied and pasted and moved into the public by people who are wanna-be hackers or “script kiddies”. Script kiddies are the reason for the viruses being circulated.

According to the article I researched, “In computing, a script kiddie (occasionally script bunny, script kitty or skiddie) is a derogatory term for inexperienced crackers who use scripts and programs developed by others, without knowing what they are or how they work, for the purpose of compromising computer accounts and files, and for launching attacks on whole computer systems (see DoS). In general, they do not have the ability to write these kinds of programs on their own. Such programs have included Win Nuke applications, Back Orifice, Sub7, and Metasploit” (Wikipedia).

Script Kiddies scan the internet for vulnerable machines, open connection ports, instead of looking for one target. The FBI has the ability to track everyone, especially script kiddies but it is still happening all around us.

The article I read was based on all these different types of virus writers, there handles, and why they did what they did. They are the reason the viruses exist but not the reason there being circulated to unknowing victims all across the internet. The script kiddies are a real menace to the internet world but in a way, so are the creators of the viruses. Script kiddies are nothing but virus messengers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Script_kiddie