IMHO anyone stupid enough to download from a torrent site with the motivation of getting something for "free" deserves exactly what they just got for free -- a messed up computer!
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iWork '09 Torrent Carrying OS X Trojan
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Wikipedia has a much more thorough explanation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDoS
A denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) or distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS attack) is an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users. Although the means to carry out, motives for, and targets of a DoS attack may vary, it generally consists of the concerted, malevolent efforts of a person or persons to prevent an Internet site or service from functioning efficiently or at all, temporarily or indefinitely. Perpetrators of DoS attacks typically target sites or services hosted on high-profile web servers such as banks, credit card payment gateways, and even root nameservers.
One common method of attack involves saturating the target (victim) machine with external communications requests, such that it cannot respond to legitimate traffic, or responds so slowly as to be rendered effectively unavailable.
In general terms, DoS attacks are implemented by either forcing the targeted computer(s) to reset, or consuming its resources so that it can no longer provide its intended service or obstructing the communication media between the intended users and the victim so that they can no longer communicate adequately.
Denial-of-service attacks are considered violations of the IAB's Internet Proper Use Policy. They also commonly constitute violations of the laws of individual nations.[1]
One common method of attack involves saturating the target (victim) machine with external communications requests, such that it cannot respond to legitimate traffic, or responds so slowly as to be rendered effectively unavailable.
In general terms, DoS attacks are implemented by either forcing the targeted computer(s) to reset, or consuming its resources so that it can no longer provide its intended service or obstructing the communication media between the intended users and the victim so that they can no longer communicate adequately.
Denial-of-service attacks are considered violations of the IAB's Internet Proper Use Policy. They also commonly constitute violations of the laws of individual nations.[1]
Distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS attacks), like this trojan, mean that a large number of computers are working together to make the site unavailable. The requests can be legitimate, there are just so many of them that the server is overloaded to the point of unusability.
Imagine that you had a web server on a reasonable system. Imagine that suddenly 20,000 systems started running a program that sat in a loop requesting fresh copies of your home page.
That's one example of DDoS.
That removes the trojan. It doesn't remove what the trojan may have done.
To be sure that you've removed all the effects of the trojan, reformat your hard drive and re-install a clean copy of OSX.
Think about it - you've given remote access to your system, with full root privileges, to internet criminals.
Removing their initial entry point to your system doesn't clean up all possible changes or other malware installations that they have made to your system.
it occurs to me that had Apple placed a greater value on unit sales versus the ease of use of their software - and having a greater distribution of higher quality/more recent software for others to show potential switchers - they would have taken actions such as serial numbers, attacks on pirating sites, and so on.
but the small number of people, relatively, that are engaging in piracy versus the full benefit to apple of selling more hardware units seems to fall on the side of them not putting very much effort into curtailing it. recognizing that people are going to hack and pirate, and instead focusing on the ease of use for all other customers, seems to matter more.
everyone has seen their actions against rumor sites, so they clearly aren't afraid to act when it is in their interest. i know people who want to switch simply on account of that windows genuine advantage stuff.
but hey, i'm just a noob at posting here.
but the small number of people, relatively, that are engaging in piracy versus the full benefit to apple of selling more hardware units seems to fall on the side of them not putting very much effort into curtailing it. recognizing that people are going to hack and pirate, and instead focusing on the ease of use for all other customers, seems to matter more.
everyone has seen their actions against rumor sites, so they clearly aren't afraid to act when it is in their interest. i know people who want to switch simply on account of that windows genuine advantage stuff.
but hey, i'm just a noob at posting here.
Agree. Stealing means the author doesn't have the item anymore.
Copyright infringement means the author still has the item.
Big difference.
Actually the quality of pirated software on most trackers is quite high. I've not seen a virus on a pirated app for a looooong time. Of course, I always let 2343243 people download it before me, and then read the comments.
Disagree.
Both mean that the author was not paid for his work, which you are now enjoying.
You have the work.
The author doesn't have the money.
Sounds like theft to me.
Many , if not all paid applications come with support and, if an enterprise application, come with your own personal individual to contact in case of any serious issues.
Sigh. Looks like we've lost another one to the RIAA/MPAA campaigns.
Copyright infringement is not theft.
This graphic should explain it for you:
Unless you're stealing the physical media upon which the only copy of a piece of software resides, "pirating" software isn't theft.
Sigh. Looks like we've lost another one to the RIAA/MPAA campaigns.
Copyright infringement is not theft.
This graphic should explain it for you:
Unless you're stealing the physical media upon which the only copy of a piece of software resides, "pirating" software isn't theft.
Want to know a funny TRUE story?
I helped Sonic Foundry, now Sony's software ACID and brought to Sony, 3 loop collections that I produced, so, I therefore OWNED the LOOPS and OWNED the software, to this day, I have SCORED FEATURE FILMS on that platform and have yet to get any paid work with pirated software and some times think it may be karma? On the other hand, I sometimes feel that thank goodness we can check out software as many times you're like, ummm, no, I won't use this.
I have also seen 3 libraries of mine posted in Usenet. Oh well. What can you do.
Question: Since Apple no longer requires SERIAL, does that mean you can download and then send in $79 in a month or will it just work? Have seen it posted in NON TORRENT forms.
New job soon, LORD WILLING, so I can buy some new software! hardware!
The downloadable free trial still requires a serial in order to unlock at the end of the 30-day trial period.
Seriously, if you THINK a certain program is too expensive, find an alternative, or save money and get the one you want.
While I appreciate the MR community for helping those infected with the Trojan, I am also glad we are encouraging the use of legitimate software.
All you saints in the thread ,
I hope you all never drive over the speed limit or have played poker for money with your buddies or in over half the states in the US had sex in anything other than the missionary position
Because if you have then you've broken the law
Or is it ok for you to break certain laws you think is ok and not others ?
Because unless you NEVER drive over the speed limit go ahead and lump yourself into the hypocrite category
I hope you all never drive over the speed limit or have played poker for money with your buddies or in over half the states in the US had sex in anything other than the missionary position
Because if you have then you've broken the law
Or is it ok for you to break certain laws you think is ok and not others ?
Because unless you NEVER drive over the speed limit go ahead and lump yourself into the hypocrite category
Interesting point of view... I read that 90% or more US Citizens have admitted smoking weed once (or more).
I do think that piracy isn't such a bad thing. Take me for example. I would never pay more than 10$ for any software, so if I find a way of getting if free its ok. I wouldn't paid for anyways.
Remember many many many people don't know how to get free software, so the company is still making themselves damn rich. As well as the coders have the ability to do great programs, pirates have the ability to enjoy them for free.
And the difference to the company that should have been paid for the software is?
Piracy and theft are both despicable acts - one is not "better" than the other.
Check the dictionary definition of "steal":
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/steal
(page has citations from several dictionaries)
2. to appropriate (ideas, credit, words, etc.) without right or acknowledgment.
2. To present or use (someone else's words or ideas) as one's own.
1. take without the owner's consent; "Someone stole my wallet on the train"; "This author stole entire paragraphs from my dissertation"
2. To present or use (someone else's words or ideas) as one's own.
1. take without the owner's consent; "Someone stole my wallet on the train"; "This author stole entire paragraphs from my dissertation"
(page has citations from several dictionaries)
Note these references to ideas and words - the word steal does not exclusively refer to taking a physical object.
I'll continue to use the word "steal" - although I acknowledge that a lawyer in court would not use that word in the context of illegal downloading.
Lots of terms have special meaning in the law that differs from common usage. For example, try to imagine what "suspect class" means, then Yahoo! for the phrase. Doesn't mean what you thought, does it? (hint: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspect_class)
Let's not debate which term to use, using the torrent to avoid paying for software (or music or videos) is wrong.
Let's just enjoy the schadenfreude that some of the scoundrels who stole Iworks are suffering !
I hope that to be morally consistent, that you also stole your MacBook and other Apple gadgets.
By the way, you should be more careful about using your name when posting about illegal or unethical activities. A quick web search for "Dirk Breeuwer" shows lots of posts about hacking, jailbreaking, and other questionable feats. Your picture is OK though: http://www.metroflog.com/diozez/200712
We already agreed that the useless, irrelevant comparison argument was invalid several pages ago.
Also, just to make it even more invalid, I've not done any of the things you have listed.
Also, also, I believe, "So because you (personally) can get away with doing these things that you have listed, you think it's okay to do even more illegal activities?" is the proper response.
Exactly. No one NEEDS CS4. If you cant afford it buy a student version or buy a used version of CS2 or 3.
Actually, I think that Photoshop Elements is a great bargain. You get most of Photoshop, current, and supported. The pieces that are missing aren't needed even by most advanced users.
I am sickened by the latest posts claiming that pirating is OK and not in effect stealing.
No wonder our planet is in such a mess.
It's got squat to do with speeding or any other crap excuses you people are spewing.
And don't give me that stuff about hypocrisy.
Yeh...I break the speed limit...but what's that got to do with this subject?
I haven't heard one person critical of pirating say they are saints.
Just that pirating is wrong and in effect stealing.
Remember two wrongs do NOT make a right. And because someone breaks the actual or moral law in other ways does not make pirating right.
As for the person who boasts about stealing every piece of software costing over $10...your bragging and lack of any morals will come back and bite you.
I'd love to hear just one of these people sprout the garbage they are if they found themselves developing a new piece of software.
No wonder our planet is in such a mess.
It's got squat to do with speeding or any other crap excuses you people are spewing.
And don't give me that stuff about hypocrisy.
Yeh...I break the speed limit...but what's that got to do with this subject?
I haven't heard one person critical of pirating say they are saints.
Just that pirating is wrong and in effect stealing.
Remember two wrongs do NOT make a right. And because someone breaks the actual or moral law in other ways does not make pirating right.
As for the person who boasts about stealing every piece of software costing over $10...your bragging and lack of any morals will come back and bite you.
I'd love to hear just one of these people sprout the garbage they are if they found themselves developing a new piece of software.
I'd love to hear just one of these people sprout the garbage they are if they found themselves developing a new piece of software. But that's not likely given their obviously low IQ's.
So if you don't want to pay for something which you can get for free or you think it's not wrong you have a low IQ...wow that's really intelligent from someone with a "high" IQ.