very real danger of Bugs in Microsoft software

TeeJay on 2003-10-29T10:18:26

There is a very real danger to users of Internet Explorer and Outlook - There have now been 3 recorded cases of people prosecuted in the UK for child porn offences because Trojans or Virus infected their systems and downloaded child pornography.

Many people don't seem to care that private correspondance and files could be emailed to all and sundry by mass-mailing worms, or that important files be deleted or altered, or that their comprimised computer is being browsed by strangers or being used to attack internet sites and infrastructure.

Maybe people will care when they find offensive images lying around on their hard disk or get a knock on the door from the police.

Inertia says people will think "that won't happen to me, it only happens so people who open and run files from strangers and I don't do that" or "what are the odds of that happening".


Or...

davorg on 2003-10-29T11:05:17

Alternatively it could be sold as a positive. It's just a question of getting the right spin. I can see the slogans now - "Use Windows and have a ready-made excuse when your wife finds your porn stash!"

I wonder how stupid those users are

drhyde on 2003-10-29T12:33:08

It would be interesting to see whether the people who've successfully used the "trojans ate my homework" defence are still using Windows.

Hmmm

chaoticset on 2003-10-29T14:52:50

Y'know, I'll bet lots of people want to know about this. I think I'll send an email to my entire address book... ;)