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July 5, 2005 8:50 AM PDT

Sasser author confesses in trial

  • 20 comments

Prosecutor says she is "highly satisfied" with progress made at trial of 19-year-old Sven Jaschan.

The story "Sasser author confesses in trial" published July 5, 2005 at 8:50 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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GOOD GOOD GOOD
by David Arbogast July 5, 2005 11:03 AM PDT
Virus writers must be held accountable for their illegal actions, whether they claim to be vigilantes on the side of the law or not. The law is clear, if are discovered writing/releasing a virus, you are going to be prosecuted.

It is my hope that every affected company claims the maximium damages possible. As far as "how" the penalty will be paid, I have a suggestion: Confiscate all assets that can be liquidated and then begin garnishing wages at the maximum amount possible. Zero leniency is required to strengthen the example being set.
Reply to this comment
There's a little problem....
by Maelstorm July 7, 2005 12:39 AM PDT
Granted, he should pay for what he did. But, how can you morally justify destroying the life of person who annoyed a few system administrators and cost a few companies some money. Yes, he made a mistake, but don't put him under the jail. Make the punishment fit the crime. Garnish his wages at the maximum amount? How will he become a productive member of society? He will probably end up becoming a common criminal in and out of jail because he can't pay it all off.

It's the "lock 'em up and throw away the key with no chance of redemption or rehabilitation" mentality as to one of the major reasons why ex-cons become repeat offenders in this country.
GOOD GOOD GOOD
by David Arbogast July 5, 2005 11:03 AM PDT
Virus writers must be held accountable for their illegal actions, whether they claim to be vigilantes on the side of the law or not. The law is clear, if are discovered writing/releasing a virus, you are going to be prosecuted.

It is my hope that every affected company claims the maximium damages possible. As far as "how" the penalty will be paid, I have a suggestion: Confiscate all assets that can be liquidated and then begin garnishing wages at the maximum amount possible. Zero leniency is required to strengthen the example being set.
Reply to this comment
There's a little problem....
by Maelstorm July 7, 2005 12:39 AM PDT
Granted, he should pay for what he did. But, how can you morally justify destroying the life of person who annoyed a few system administrators and cost a few companies some money. Yes, he made a mistake, but don't put him under the jail. Make the punishment fit the crime. Garnish his wages at the maximum amount? How will he become a productive member of society? He will probably end up becoming a common criminal in and out of jail because he can't pay it all off.

It's the "lock 'em up and throw away the key with no chance of redemption or rehabilitation" mentality as to one of the major reasons why ex-cons become repeat offenders in this country.
The reward
by Sentinel July 5, 2005 11:10 AM PDT
Incredible, that the original intent of such a virus was to eradicate other malevolent viruses. Windows comes with many security holes, and people write viruses to exploit them. So along comes this "computer freak" and makes something to help patch those holes. His reward? Five years in jail, and who knows how many thousands of dollars that he has pay for the very damage he tried to fix (Note: the virus didn't actually fix anything, just tried, unsuccessfully, to do so).

I believe people are responsible for their actions, so naturally, I agree that this guy needs to face the consequences of what he did. However, Microsoft, the maker of Windows, is also at fault. If those companies had not been using Microsoft's operating system, they wouldn't have lost the millions they did. And yet, to this date, Microsoft still goes unpunished, despite the many harmful virus attacks that have happened since 2000.

Not only is Microsoft guilty of selling buggy software, but they also lie to the masses, saying that their system is more secure and reliable than other systems. When will they be held accountable for their actions?
Reply to this comment
What are you smoking?!?
by csturdivant July 5, 2005 11:38 AM PDT
"So along comes this "computer freak" and makes something to help patch those holes."

He is helping Microsoft patch Windows flaws?!? Yeah right!
View reply
Perhaps
by Andrew J Glina July 5, 2005 5:10 PM PDT
The original "Sasser" virus did appear to try to do this, but ultimatly it is still illegal. That kind of logic is no better than mob justice, and a lot less controled than that. If he thought that he was doing good, then he is an idiot. More likely he wanted to boost his ego.

The whole "Microsoft is Guitly" rant is a bit old. Cars companies go on about how safe and well made their cars are, yet the kill and cause property damage when incorrectly used by users.
The reward
by Sentinel July 5, 2005 11:10 AM PDT
Incredible, that the original intent of such a virus was to eradicate other malevolent viruses. Windows comes with many security holes, and people write viruses to exploit them. So along comes this "computer freak" and makes something to help patch those holes. His reward? Five years in jail, and who knows how many thousands of dollars that he has pay for the very damage he tried to fix (Note: the virus didn't actually fix anything, just tried, unsuccessfully, to do so).

I believe people are responsible for their actions, so naturally, I agree that this guy needs to face the consequences of what he did. However, Microsoft, the maker of Windows, is also at fault. If those companies had not been using Microsoft's operating system, they wouldn't have lost the millions they did. And yet, to this date, Microsoft still goes unpunished, despite the many harmful virus attacks that have happened since 2000.

Not only is Microsoft guilty of selling buggy software, but they also lie to the masses, saying that their system is more secure and reliable than other systems. When will they be held accountable for their actions?
Reply to this comment
What are you smoking?!?
by csturdivant July 5, 2005 11:38 AM PDT
"So along comes this "computer freak" and makes something to help patch those holes."

He is helping Microsoft patch Windows flaws?!? Yeah right!
View reply
Perhaps
by Andrew J Glina July 5, 2005 5:10 PM PDT
The original "Sasser" virus did appear to try to do this, but ultimatly it is still illegal. That kind of logic is no better than mob justice, and a lot less controled than that. If he thought that he was doing good, then he is an idiot. More likely he wanted to boost his ego.

The whole "Microsoft is Guitly" rant is a bit old. Cars companies go on about how safe and well made their cars are, yet the kill and cause property damage when incorrectly used by users.
Nice
by 201293546946733175101343322673 July 5, 2005 4:32 PM PDT
Virus writers must be prosecuted, otherwise we will be flooded with "virus" made by script kiddies :)
Reply to this comment
Nice
by 201293546946733175101343322673 July 5, 2005 4:32 PM PDT
Virus writers must be prosecuted, otherwise we will be flooded with "virus" made by script kiddies :)
Reply to this comment
is this really the "one"?
by July 6, 2005 2:49 PM PDT
seems to me they have the wrong person, look at the viruses released now. Doesn't look like it has stopped :P
Reply to this comment
w00tz3r someone won!
by July 6, 2005 2:51 PM PDT
seems sasser is still being developed :( along with beagle and netsky. They have the WRONG person LMFAO
View reply
is this really the "one"?
by July 6, 2005 2:49 PM PDT
seems to me they have the wrong person, look at the viruses released now. Doesn't look like it has stopped :P
Reply to this comment
w00tz3r someone won!
by July 6, 2005 2:51 PM PDT
seems sasser is still being developed :( along with beagle and netsky. They have the WRONG person LMFAO
View reply
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