War at 33 1/3 - A GTA Hoodlife Email

Subject: YoGangsta E-Drama
From: Mukkan Yhtio
To: Paperghost

I don't know this "YoGangsta" guy and I havent seen his 'virus' but it sounds like a really simple batch file that executes shutdown.exe or some stupid shit like that.

You are clearly a fucking idiot if you think you've done the world a favour, it sounds like you caused that boys life more perminant damage than he caused to anyones computer systems, the virus doesnt even corrupt any files and it's pretty straight forward to remove (anyone with basic computers skills will be able to remove it in a flash).

Actually, some versions of this infection apparently have the potential to delete keyboard and mouse drivers (though in the example given, he messed up the file paths) while putting the PC into a reboot cycle at the same time (or crippling the ability to login in worst case scenario). While its great that anyone with "Basic computer skills" could remove it, even an experienced user may wonder what they can do to fix a PC that won't login, keeps rebooting and has lost both its keyboard and mouse functionality.

That kid has more right to phone the FBI that you do, technically that software is so minorly malicious that it simpilly wouldent even hit a court because the arguments would be weak.

...so you claim to know all of this and more about the "virus", while admitting at the same time that you actually know nothing about it. Well done.

He released numerous variants of these infections, bundling them with fake games (complete with pointless install screens) and programs using a distribution method based around socially engineering people via blogs, forums and video sharing sites such as youtube, and it took considerable time and effort to have all the rogue accounts shut down - Google had to intervene directly. He also created a website designed to harvest IP addresses (in fact, he asks you to fill your IP address in as your password) to spam messages across Myspace / forums (in the form of image spam whose download location included the words "download bait", nice touch). Those messages would then redirect you to rogue antispyware installs (note the URL at the bottom), which have a history of being involved in more malicious bundles - depending on the product or products installed, more malware files could be downloaded onto the PC. It's entirely possible given the evidence on display that he was signed up to one of these affiliate deals and was trying to make some money via these hijacks.

However you look at it, he had a sophisticated distribution network of rogue files spanning a range of locations from video sharing sites to blogs to forums to Myspace, with a collection of free web hosts inbetween. Leaving his contact information all over the place was definitely stupid, but he knew exactly what he was doing in terms of how to go about infecting people so please, go cry about YoGangstas technological innocence to someone else.

Eitherway, what, do you think that you are big or something for chasing down some poor black kid?

People who do this sort of thing should be excused if they happen to be poor and / or black now? I chased him down because he wrote infection files, you'll be happy to know the end result would have been the same regardless of his ethnic origin, but then I've done the same thing with people from Russia, England, China, America and the Middle East.

You are a sick piece of shit, maybe I should stalk you and harass you form over the internet bitch.

...you think you're the only person who has ever said that to me? Ironically, you're sounding more and more like an angry virus writer.

He must have been under serious stress and worry to have two sleepless nights, if he went to hospital for something like hypertension he would have every right to sue you. You never know what problems people may have.

...well, we know he certainly had a problem relating to an increasing scale of internet infections because he just couldn't stop the rock. Oh look, here's a "fake internet explorer 8" being pushed on his home of homes, Freewebs.

He'd also been posting information on how to hack peoples forum accounts, caused endless amounts of hassle for people online and generally acted like any idiotic, budding virus writer does before moving onto bigger and better things. Put simply, if you're going to run around attempting to infect peoples PCs, you'd better use some common sense and not leave a huge paper trail lying around that can be worked out in 30 minutes flat. If you do, then too bad for you and cry me a river. Nobody forced him to start messing with peoples computers.

You talk about his "stress"? What about the stress of those who were hijacked by this? What about the data they've potentially lost? Who speaks for them? Who's going to do something on their behalf? You? Local police forces that can't deal with these problems? Or maybe the FBI who likely won't get involved unless the damage exceeds $5,000? Or how about some other mythical entity that doesn't exist yet?

What the FUCK do you think you are mr super hero of the internets? Your a joke. Why don't you go try chase some real virus authors, retard.

....is a great note to close on.