Chinese hackers advertise made-to-order virus service

[Gary Stoneburner <gary.stoneburner@nist.gov>]

re:
http://www.interfax.com/com?item=Chin&pg=0&id=5738976

"Shanghai. (Interfax-China) - Rising, one of China's leading
anti-virus software firms, recently discovered that Chinese hackers had
opened a new website offering a made-to-order virus service, Rising PR
official Lu Lan told Interfax.

"Although it is not uncommon for hackers to custom make viruses for
a price, such services have never before been advertised so openly. This
newly discovered website contains a scrolling advertisement that offers
to create a new virus capable of bypassing security systems for RMB
100-200 (USD 12.08-24.15). Lu explained, however, that the hackers were
not creating new virus, but were instead actually upgrading existing
viruses so that they would be capable of sidestepping anti-virus
applications. The advertisement asks interested parties to contact the
hackers via their QQ instant messaging service account.

"The service offered on this new hacking website is not a new
service in China," Lu said. "However, what makes it special is
that we have never seen anyone so blatantly advertise this sort of
service before. Obviously, custom-making viruses is illegal in China.
Whoever is behind this should be punished according to the
law."

"Rising immediately reported the website to China's Ministry of
Public Security, which has already begun an investigation into the
situation. Meanwhile, officials have already blocked the website,
although Interfax could not confirm this information as the address of
this website has been made strictly confidential by the Ministry of
Public Security."

Cheers,
Gary

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* Opinions expressed are not intended to reflect an official position
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* Gary Stoneburner
* Computer Security Division, National Institute of Standards & Technology
* 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930         
* Phone: 301-975-5394, FAX: 301-948-0279, Email: Stoneburner@nist.gov
* http://csrc.nist.gov/staff/stoneburner/gshome.html
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