Given that it was “security week” with DEF CON 15 and Black Hat Conference kicking off last week, I’ve decided to cover some hacker news going around this past week:
MP3-munching virus spotted in the wild. Appropriately dubbed W32. Deletemusic, this mp3-eating worm goes through all of the user’s files deleting any mp3 it sees on its path, including external HDs and memory cards attached to the machine. I guess I should start backing up my pirated, I mean RIAA-approved mp3 collection. One good thing about this though is you can now use the “the-virus-ate-my-legit-mp3” excuse if the RIAA ever catches you downloading.
Undercover reporter flees DEF CON. An NBC Dateline reporter has been uncovered trying to catch some hackers attending DEF CON to admit wrongdoings. After allegedly numerous attempts by DEF CON organizers to make the reporter identify herself and be properly recognized by getting a press badge, she was eventually outed through a game of “spot the undercover reporter” and taking the walk of shame. I bet they found her using an nmap port scan of her cellphone and triangulated her position using kismet..or probably because of the “NBC Reporter” tag she was wearing. I guess we’ll never know.
Netflix hacked. Hackers have now found a way to store permanently the company’s downloadable “Watch Now” movies. I’m not sure why hackers would waste their time hacking the DRM just to watch a movie that they’ve paid for anyways. Bittorent, anyone?
idiosyncratic/routine 