Inquiry for some of you more cyber-inclined,..

[PiedPiper]

---In the space of 30 hours last week, I had my computer invaded by something called the istart123 browser hijack virus,... and was able to get a skilled buddy in to flush the fucking thing out of the system. All's well, but I'm only relieved - not happy. Googling the virus by name turns up pages upon pages of how to rid yourself of it. But nothing about where it originated,.. possible penalties for the perpetrators,.. legal shades of gray,.. etc. Surely we found this person and summarily executed them on the spot, I hoped,..... but nothing cropped up except fix-it remedies. I was hoping for just desserts.

---Anyone know anything about this thing? Thanks.

 

[General Zod]

---In the space of 30 hours last week, I had my computer invaded by something called the istart123 browser hijack virus,... and was able to get a skilled buddy in to flush the fucking thing out of the system. All's well, but I'm only relieved - not happy. Googling the virus by name turns up pages upon pages of how to rid yourself of it. But nothing about where it originated,.. possible penalties for the perpetrators,.. legal shades of gray,.. etc. Surely we found this person and summarily executed them on the spot, I hoped,..... but nothing cropped up except fix-it remedies. I was hoping for just desserts.

---Anyone know anything about this thing? Thanks.

This is all I could find. It explains how people can get it.
http://www.malwareremovalguides.info/remove-istart123-com-browser-hijacker-free-removal-guide/

 

[C.A.B.]

today's nebbish picked on in gym class = tomorow's hacker virus from hell

 

[Dussicar]

What exactly does this virus do?

 

[PiedPiper]

Thanks, Zod, for the added detective work. I'd seen pretty much all the removal guides,.... so now you see the problem: No other info out there,..... Christ, the goddamned thing might even be not technically illegal. I never hear about any of these guys being apprehended and, when I complained about that to my friend he said, "Oh, if they caught him, they probably hired him."

And C.A.B.,... I hear ya. But I think this nebbish was getting picked on in a non-English speaking country, as well. Certain syntactical quirks in the display workings of the virus pretty much confirm that. I hear those rooskies are pretty good at this stuff.