Zombie PCs

[Paul Komski]

Amazing stat in todays Click (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/click) from the BBC. 18% of PCs in America are now zombies; part of a controlled botnet!!

[PrntRhd]

BBC's iPlayer only works for UK?

[Paul Komski]

You could try the Watch Now link toppish right (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/about_the_programme/default.stm).

I can get the iPlayer from Ireland but maybe its because I'm only a couple of miles from the UK.

There's an International Version Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/8041019.stm) under the Watch Now on this page (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/).

[sassie05]

Wow! Some cool stuff in that video.
Thanks Paul

[PrntRhd]

Lots of stuff there.
I thought the explanation of HDMI vs VGA was excellent.

[Paul Komski]

I don't watch a lot of TV but "Click" is one that I look forward to each week. For International viewers on dial-up, etc (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/about_the_programme/default.stm) it can be watched on TV.

• International viewers:

Click is also shown on the BBC's commercial and international channel, BBC World News. Times vary according to time zones. More detailed information to come shortly.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I tried to find the specific article/news you linked to but I couldn't find it right off hand with any of those links. What was the day/time etc it was aired? Archived already maybe?

http://www.smileydesign.net/smileys/zombie04.gif

[PrntRhd]

Ted,
You have to watch for a while, I believe it gets to the posted subject after 5 min or so.

[Paul Komski]

The archives (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/7834331.stm). It's "transmission date" will be May 9th by the end of the week. And yes the specific comment is early on in the program and is related to an earlier broadcast on March 13th about botnets and cybercrime. The BBC, contraversially, purchased one to see what it was possible to achieve.

[whansen02]

With how often I hear the questions "do I really need anti-virus software? is anti-virus software a scam and a waste of money?" and "why would someone want to hack my computer?" (or hosting account) those numbers are honestly no surprise.

I think there needs to be a large warning with any computer you purchase that states clearly what computer crimes you can be liable for if the security of your computer is neglected and you allow your computer to become a cyber crime tool.

But that's really cool (in some ways) of the BBC to actually buy a botnet and see what it does. How better to report on what a botnet is capable of than to buy one and demonstrate it.