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5 comments about The Virus Creation Labs: A Journey into the Underground.

1. The media portrays virus writers as teenage prodigies whose temper tantrums threaten the world. The media portrays antivirus companies as serious business professionals who work closely with competitors and international agencies to keep virus writers at bay. If you listen to the media, it's a World War with clear lines drawn between good & evil.

   The media doesn't have a clue. "Drunken brawl" most accurately describes the virus/antivirus conflict. You can't always tell the good guys from the bad guys (they occasionally switch sides) and it's every man for himself. Virus writers rarely advance the state of the art -- yet antivirus firms profit by declaring them deadly computer terrorists.

   Few books about viruses delve into this bizarre soap opera, and most of those only cover it briefly. Crypt Newsletter editor George C. Smith's entire book exposes an insane world where everybody claws at each others' throats -- and where even the virus writers have marketing departments. Don't let its publication date fool you: this book takes a historical look at the madhouse beginning. 172 pages written with an utterly cynical sense of humor & irony. I read The Virus Creation Labs for the first time while sitting in an airport terminal and I repeatedly embarrassed myself with bursts of laughter.




2. This is a quirky but entertaining little book. It contains the best description I've found on the psychology and dynamics of the virus-writing community. The interesting thing about the AV business is that the software vendors are often just as colorful as the people writing the viruses. This book captures the melodrama of the anti-virus industry and accurately portrays the spy vs spy nature of the constant escalations between the attackers and the defenders. The author is absolutely correct--they do know each other and they do talk. Most purchasers of AV software have no idea how flamboyant the personalities are at the helms of their software suppliers.

   I can confirm several of the outlandish stories contained in Smith's book. I have no reason to doubt anything he says--it seems completely consistent with my experiences.

   Besides providing a helpful understanding of the nature of hostile code and its source, this book is also an excellent read. It is enjoyable and engrossing. It does not delve into the bits & bytes of viruses, nor does it discuss the mechanics of transmission and reproduction mechanisms. If you want that, read Fred Cohen or Alan Solomon. Unlike their books, this one is not only educational, but is also entertaining.




3. I was glad to see that the author keeps a pretty unbiased position throughout the book. As well as the fact that he reports on many different aspects of what was going on in the virus world at the time the book covers it. He also brings out some good points about the media and the anti-virus software companies that really get you thinking. My only complaint with the book is that it's too short...



4. I never thought I'd be laughing out loud, snorting on the subway reading a book about computer viruses! George Smith manages to make this book not only educational, but entertaining as well. I only wish he'd write another book. This one covers the subject through about 1994; LOTS has happened since then.

   Should be required reading for all SysAdmins and clueless technology reporters.




5. This is a great book by a guy who I guess has nothing better to do(just kidding George).

   I decided to research computer viruses sometime ago and this book was one of the books I used. It reveals the nature of the virus underground and the deceit computer users are subjected to by anti-virus companies.
   I am inclined to believe the story this book tells because I came across the characters mentioned in the book in other more technical texts about computer viruses.
   The book is not technical in anyway so it can be read by anyone who is curious about the jobless dudes who write viruses and the anti-virus companies who try to stop them.

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