General discussion

All Comments

  • Author
    Replies
    • #2916769

      Good question

      by charliespencer ·

      In reply to Does the computer equivalent of HIV/AIDS exist?

      The biological HIV virus works against the immune system. In order for a computer virus to do the same thing, it would have to weaken a computer’s “immune” system. I’d define that as compromising the computer’s anti-malware applications (anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, etc). I’m not a security expert, but I’m pretty sure viruses that do this already exist “in the wild”. (For that don’t know the phrase, it means such a virus is in active distribution on the Internet, not just a theory or only in a lab environment.)

      • #2914991

        However the result is different

        by w2ktechman ·

        In reply to Good question

        Because death does not occur. An HIV/AIDS virus would have to destroy the equipment in the computer. Maybe if it destroyed the HDD and corrupted the BIOS?

        • #2914949

          Nay, not so.

          by charliespencer ·

          In reply to However the result is different

          “An HIV/AIDS virus would have to destroy the equipment …”

          Nope, HIV/AIDS doesn’t actually kill anyone. The weakened immune system is unable to protect the body from other viruses. In the computer analog, the computerized “HIV” would only have to disrupt anti-malware apps, leaving the system vulnerable to attack by other cyber-viruses.

          In computer terms, I’d define death as the permanent inability to access the data, even if the hardware is still running. I guess that would be analogous to human brain death. You may be able to reload the OS and apps, but is it still the ‘same’ computer? Too philosophical for me.

      • #2914972

        Syncope

        by santeewelding ·

        In reply to Good question

        I submit that you are an expert, albeit reluctant and unrealized from the moment you cast your eye; moreso with every succeeding level and extent of reach.

        Treat security as a component apart, to be referenced only now and again, and Apotheon will understandably throw hands up in despair.

        Drink deep of it all, or not at all.

        The dram that Nodice prepares comes I think from the other way.

        To compare an OS to body and mind is natural enough, it both a product and working analog of mind, to get a handle on mind. The trick is in coming the other way: know mind down cold, if you can.

        Let that occupy him over the weekend.

    • #2914980

      being that

      by jck ·

      In reply to Does the computer equivalent of HIV/AIDS exist?

      HIV affected the immune system, and computers inherently have no “immune system”…i’d say no.

      Nice question tho.

      I think maybe an Ebola-Zaire-like computer virus would be cooler…little holes developing in your case and your hard drive and motherboard turning to mush…hehe

    • #2914978

      I believe….

      by router boy ·

      In reply to Does the computer equivalent of HIV/AIDS exist?

      Windows would be the closest thing.

      • #2914953

        Ouch.

        by charliespencer ·

        In reply to I believe….

        Some little penguin clearly woke up on the wrong side of the ice floe this morning…

Viewing 2 reply threads