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.
The MP3's were just hidden, the others were destroyed.
>>-changing windows registry entries related to the kernel
>Wasn't that in a mutation done by a copycat?
Have you looked at the ILOVEYOU.vbs source? Why do you say that the kernel changes are done by a copycat?
>>-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
Then why all the effort to set up the web sites to download the EXE's to get username and passwords for dial-up accounts? Probably to use them for launching future mischief.
>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.
It appears to me that the author's intention was for people to be tricked into running the script. Why send it out, if that was *not* the intent? In fact, with all of the press coverage of past viruses, how could he *not* expect the virus to cause a widespread outbreak?
>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.
What happened to your bomb in the mail analogy? Switched sides now?
>But that doesn't mean he should get off free, maybe 2-5 years in a prison or something, then its over.
And who pays for the cleanup? If he's responsible enough for the outbreak to go to jail, then he's responsible for the cleanup costs, too.
If his intent was just to play a joke on a few friends, he should have limited the addresses to which it would be sent. Fact is, he KNEW it would likely cause an outbreak and cause massive destruction. Therefore, culpable.
