An MSNBC article discusses a recent law suit filed by the New York State Attorney General against Direct Revenue, a very lucrative spyware company.

Most users don't care about law suits, and wraggling, etc. They just want these resource thieves to go away. If they died, that wouldn't upset most PC users. But, the big thing is, we're tired of fighting for the right to use the hardware and software we paid to use!

I've used both Norton's and McAfee's antivirus software, until I realized how much of my computer's resources were being used to save my computer's resources from spyware and virus infections. I've seen virus infections that don't use the resources Norton's uses. Plus, you have to install Active X, enable it in your browser, etc. It's laughable that the antivirus guys can't write their own update software, and rely on vulerable software to run their tools.

So, what's the solution? Well, I don't have virus problems. Firstly, I don't run ActiveX. I also don't install stuff like Norton's or McAfee's antivirus tools. And, I don't ever download "free music" or "free screensavers" software. That's all a great way to infect your PC. Porn isn't a good thing to download to your PC either, if you like to control your own desktop. But, there's something else that the community can do to slow the deluge of commercial hacking. Return the favor :)

I've got a solution. These guys push content and images. All you need do is find people willing to install retaliation software that pulls a list during off-hours (time when the user CLICKS "get em!" and they're not using their computer) that lets that PC pull the ads relentlessly.

It's called a DDOS. Distributed Denial of Service attack. The only hope for the spyware ad guys is to shut off the ads that use those servers or those images. And, of course, you use faux infected systems to constantly update your ad list. As the unused PCs assault the ad networks with requests for the ads, you drain their ability to make a profit.

Of course, this is allegedly illegal. I'm not sure why stealing my PC's resources to spy on me isn't, if it really is. Maybe we could develop a "bulk ad service" where we pulled these ads for "entertainment purposes," like a background program - where instead of a screensaver you have these ads display on your screen, just as fast as you can pull them.

Posted in public law | security | tech jasonn's blog