Virus Killer?

I think computer viruses are like old people driving slow in the fast lane, the waiter getting your order wrong - three times, the dog chewing up your most comfortable pair of shoes...some things will annoy us, whilst it is a lot of fun for others.

Or maybe, computer viruses are like nails some put out for other people tyres, just so that they can buy the patch and solution...

I always wondered what motivates these people. I also wonder where and who started it? Obviously it is much more advanced these days, but back then (very early days) what the 'virus' was. Anyone have any good links?

Computer viruses were actually started by two IBM computer engineers trying to destroy each others programs. The two would try to crash each others system and see which one would suceed first. All this took place in the mid 1960's.

Computer viruses entered the world courtesy of phone hackers - whose initial code came from Ma Bell, based upon research done during WWII to enable Allied intelligence agencies to "bug" Axis hard-wired communications without physical access. The original hacks were FSK (frequency-shift-keyed) binary codes entered one 1 or 0 at a time through the handset! Google "phone hackers" for more info.

The first virus is disputed but many claim that it was Cloner. This site lists a number of other internet firsts.

Viruses both real and computational will be with us always.

But poetic and real justice, would be to infect hackers (when convicted) with a real virus. When they get back to good health, infect them again. Repeat this until they have filled up their cell walls with "I will not produce viruses. I will not produce viruses.I will not produce viruses.I will not produce viruses.I will not produce viruses.I will not produce viruses."

That will help alleviate the problem.

P.S. Make sure they have no ink.

There is one sure cure for computer viruses.... EMP!

The responsibility for preventing the spread of viruses should be placed firmly on the shoulders of the network providers, not the users. The viruses come from the networks, nowhere else. If a virus arrives in your phone, you should be able to sue the network provider for the damage caused and the loss of service.

It makes sense to get the few providers to get their acts together instead of expecting billions of users to solve the problem individually. Or are the providers also the purveyors of anti-virus packages?

As the viruses are sent by radio, the various Radiocommunications Acts throughout the world will probably have something to say on the subject. To my mind, a virus is 'offensive material' and it is therefore illegal for the provider to transmit it.