"Microsoft shuts down global spam network"
BBC (February 25, 2010)
"Microsoft has won court approval to shut down a global network of computers which it says is responsible for more than 1.5bn spam messages every day.
"A US judge granted the firm's request to shut down 277 internet domains, which it said were used to 'command and control' the so-called Waledac botnet...."
"...Microsoft said that although it had effectively shut down the network, thousands of computers would still be infected with malware and advised people to run anti-virus software.
"The court order was part of what was called 'Operation b49'.
"Along with intelligence organisation Shadowserver, the University of Washington and security firm Symantec, Microsoft managed to get a court in Alexandria, Virginia, to force Verisign, which manages the .com domain, to temporarily switch off the domains.
"Microsoft said it was the result of months of investigation and described it as a legal first...."
I suppose it's still fashionable, in some circles to hate Microsoft.
Still, I don't think many people will be too disappointed if they start getting a little less spam.
I think that, eventually, we'll have a legal system - or network of legal systems - around the world with the ability and willingness to identify and control the sort of activity that fills our inboxes with spam, infects our computers with malware, and keeps us busy dealing with these unnecessary problems - instead of getting something else done.
And, when we've got something like that - I'm sure there will be problems with the system. It'll be run by human beings - and we're not perfect.
Until there's something like the Internet Patrol, though: on the whole, I'm glad Microsoft is there.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Microsoft, Domains, Zombie Computers, and Spam
Labels:
business,
common sense,
computers,
Internet,
law,
malware,
the human condition
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Unique, innovative candles
Visit us online: | |
Spiral Light Candle | • Find a Retailer • Spiral Light Candle online store |
Top 10 Most-Viewed Posts
-
(from INKCINCT Cartoons, used w/o permission) I very seldom copy an entire post in this blog, but trying to describe this cartoon would have...
-
" Coconut crab " AbsoluteAstronomy.com " The coconut crab, Birgus latro, is the largest land-living arthropod in the world an...
-
Ploak.com Article Directory " Your one-stop source for free articles. Do you need contents to add to your web site? Or articles for use...
-
" How to Think Like an Interior Designer " Jaime Derringer, via Shelpterpop (July 29, 2010) " It takes a unique mind to perfe...
-
Before anything else, repeating from an earlier post: Google has launched a 'people finder' for Japan, in Japanese, English, Korea...
-
Update (October 11, 2010) Another article about Reaction Engines Ltd.'s Skylon: " Airplanes in Space? " Irene Klotz, Space ...
-
" Stan Lee Unveils 3 New Superheroes at Comic-Con " Underwire, Wired (July 22, 2010) " A time traveler, an unwitting heir to ...
-
" Hellgrammite (Dobsonfly Larvae) (Corydalus cornutus) " Texas Parks and Wildlife " Other Names " Eastern Dobsonfly ...
-
" 'Lost City' of Tanis Found, but Often Forgotten " Brian Handwerk, Mysteries of the Ancient World, National Geographic (...
-
Whether you call it trafficking in persons, human trafficking, or slavery, buying and selling people isn't nice. And, in quite a few cou...
Today's News! Some of it, anyway
Actually, some of yesterday's news may be here. Or maybe last week's.
The software and science stuff might still be interesting, though. Or not.
The Lemming thinks it's interesting: Your experience may vary.
The software and science stuff might still be interesting, though. Or not.
The Lemming thinks it's interesting: Your experience may vary.
("Following" list moved here, after Blogger changed formats)
No comments:
Post a Comment