Do people still create computer viruses?

I used to get constant emails regarding virus scares. I do not get these as often. Have computer virus terrorists given up due to superior virus programs?

There are now many more threats that just “viruses.”
All of these - Worms, Phishing schemes, Trojans, etc - are lumped under the term “malware,” and there are more then ever.

#1 Story on the BBC World News site

I think almost every email I’ve recieved about a virus has been a hoax. The virus has essentially been the email itself. I think you’ve just seen a decline in junk emails (possibly due to better email filters.)

Unless my AVG anti-virus program is sending me a cheery good morning every day under the guise of updates, I’d say the answer is no. :slight_smile:

BTW that “no” answer of mine is in response to your “Have computer virus terrorists given up due to superior virus programs?”. Just realized the ambiguity, as it could have been a reply to the topic heading.

While people of course still write viruses, I think there’s been a major shift towards spyware in recent years. It’s virtually the same thing, but for spyware there’s a direct financial gain in dealing with spammers and advertisers. I guess in the end, money really does rule everything.

I started a thread in the Pit about it - the entire library system is down. Patrons, staff, nobody can do anything. Yes, Virginia, there is a virus.

This is the big difference. The days when viruses were written by antisocial nerds, just for fun, are over. Increasingly, viruses are written by antisocial nerds to facilitate identity theft. They say that organized crime syndicates (the Mafia, the Chinese Triad, the Russian Mob, etc.) are behind a sizable fraction of recent malware releases.

I’ve heard rumblings that some countries are using such tactics as a form of covert war on the US. Sort of a “destabilize the economy and the rest comes tumbuling down” sort of thing.

(to be taken with 2.5 grains of salt)

Looks to me like plenty are still coming out .