Sophos horrified at Microsoft notion of a 'good worm'

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 18 February 2008 03:20

Opinion and Analysis

In the belief that a network administrator should be the master of his or her own domain, and not some nefarious Internet nasty, Ducklin says that: "Network administrators deserve the final say”.

He continues that: “If they make an informed decision to delay a patch, or to deploy it in a staggered fashion throughout their offices, then they simply must have the power to implement that decision. They shouldn't have a computer worm blasting through their network making the decision for them."

Ducklin has written lightheartedly before about the dangers of so-called "good worms" way back in 2005.

Now many people already consider Microsoft software to be ‘malware’, some in jest, others quite seriously.

But for Microsoft, even their research department, to consider the idea of ‘good malware’ is simply not on. Were Microsoft ever to do it, no doubt many would consider their journey to the dark side to be complete.

I know plenty of Linux and Mac users think you’re already in cahoots with Emperor Palpatine... some even think you ARE Emperor Palpatine... but I can see the good in you Microsoft, I can feel it. Come back to the light side and put the idea of ‘good malware’ in the same place you’ve retired Microsoft Bob!