Mike,

>>-destroying jpg's and script files
>
>To me, its the same as MP3, then the scripts just do it all over again after you think its gone.

Doesn't matter. It destroyed all those files regardless of intent which, again, is what happened, not what somone thought should have happened. I mean, no offense, what you or I think reall has no bearing on what's going to happen here with respect to this person.

Your very honorable intent to see the good in others is admirable to the point of reality, afterwhich it becomes self defeating.

>
>>-changing windows registry entries related to the kernel
>
>Wasn't that in a mutation done by a copycat?

Don't think so. And if that is true then we should prosecute both, and vigorously, with the second person being punished to the full extent of the law. That is, unless we excuse them too.

>
>>-storing a local HTML file for use in infecting chat users
>>-confiscating usernames and passwords
>>-the 4 web sites set up to download the confiscation EXE
>>-the use of anonymous email access card accounts to hide the trail
>
>Ok, that is a little harsher. But, imo, whoever did those things wasn't trying to get logins and passwords for the world. jmo

Again, intent has no bearing here. There were four locations coded into that virus with the specific purpose of extracting passwords and logins from target machines. Speaks pretty loudly to me about someone's intent don't you think?

>
>I still don't think this person did THAT much wrong to ruin a life. They sent out a simple script that you need to run that will delete images and music and pass itself on. Every EXE and VBS needs to be executed somehow, if you make your email client do it automatically or you do it manually, its your fault.

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Are you suggesting that there are people here who want someone's life to be ruined? If so, shame on you for having such a bad thought in your mind.

Don't go around putting your thought processes out as though they belonged to someone else, ok? Someone just might ask you how you came to that conclusion and how you have managed to see yourself as being so much more morally superior to others. I certainly do not want that fellow's life ruined - he's done that all by himself, which was my point. By releasing that virus he put into action a series of events which will now in my opinion ruin his entire life.

It's called the law of cause and effect and it works just like gravity; that's all - regardless of anyone's intent, good or bad. The deed is done, the damage inflicted. That is absolutely measurable, in terms of dollars.

Am I sorry for him that it happened? Probably not as sorry as he/she will be when they are caught, and they will be found out.

>
>But that doesn't mean he should get off free, maybe 2-5 years in a prison or something, then its over.

This will be played out in the several courts of more than one country and business entity I'd think and this is where he's going to be sued in civil or criminal court.

Remember, there's been some 1,000,000,000's worth of damage done and you can bet that while the affected companies will surely never see a penny from the virus creator they darn sure will "string him up" to make an example out of him.

Mike, look... I very much appreciate what you're saying but I do disagree with it and that, my friend, is what life is all about.

Best,

DD