A program that performs a clandestine or malicious function such as extracting a user's password or other data or erasing the hard disk. A vandal differs from a virus, which attaches itself to an existing executable program. The vandal is the full executing entity itself which can be downloaded from the Internet in the form of an ActiveX control, Java applet, browser plug-in or e-mail attachment. See virus.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Hackers deface LHC site, came close to turning off particle detector
- Hackers deface LHC site, came close to turning off particle detectorHackersFrom hackers like these something terrible might happen.Even if everything is ironed up perfectly and runs smoothly, an accident can happen due to this kind of people. Why do they have to stick their fingers in something that doesn't belong...
- Discussion threads 2008-09-12
- Intego NetBarrier X5 (dmg)
- As threats to Mac security increase, you need dependable protection from hackers, vandals, spyware, and Trojan horses. NetBarrier X5, with its four lines of defense, is the most powerful personal firewall for Mac. Easy to set up and use, NetBarrier X5 keeps your Mac safe and gives you peace of...
- Software downloads 2008-02-19
- Microsoft quietly tests a new 'pay-as-you-go' rental scheme for Office
- Microsoft quietly tests a new 'pay-as-you-go' rental scheme for OfficeBlech...There's no way this Office rental scheme would be a real success if this is going to be foisted on real home users, unless if it's done more like a leasing program. Make enough payments, and the Office/Operating System is yours...
- Discussion threads 2007-01-30
- NYC vs. YouTube
- NYC Transit established graffiti-free bus and subway fleets in 1989. Today, “artists” are brazenly defying the anti-graffiti policy of the “largest subway car fleet in the world” and showing off their subway “art” at YouTube, to boot!“Heads NYC” is identified by YouTube as a “Director,” and he says he is...
- Blog posts 2006-11-13
- Wikipedia used to spread malicious code
- Wikipedia used to spread malicious codeLovely. Time to stop using it...or wikipedia doing more on their part to prevent opportunities like this in the future.Thats the problem with communityOpen source information only works as well as the least common denominator. There will always be someone looking to take advantage...
- Discussion threads 2006-11-06
- Reporter's records hacked in HP probe
- Reporter's records hacked in HP probeTaking Legal ActionI sure hope that CNet is going to take legal action against HP for this. We can bet if they do it in this case the "private" information they gather about their customers probably isn't all that private.I guess ethics just can't be...
- Discussion threads 2006-09-07
- "Enterprise 2.0" as the example that proves the rule
- "Enterprise 2.0" as the example that proves the ruleEnterprises are shrinking..............and the employees in them have become more versatile, thanks to ICT-based systems available to them. Their ability to "multi-task" (that is, perform both work-related and personal activities at the same time) translates to their capacity to maintain multiple relationships,...
- Discussion threads 2006-08-21
- Turkish hackers go on defacement rampage
- Turkish hackers go on defacement rampageWhat would be a resolutionAsking Coders not to be sloppy with Code is like asking Windows to reduce their memory requirements on their next release. Not very likely to happen.However, how else are we supposed to draw easily changeable data into an application without...
- Discussion threads 2006-05-31
- Zalewski is no hero - he's a vandal
- Zalewski is no hero - he's a vandalTwo wordsdumb f__k.AgreedThe shoe fits...
- Discussion threads 2006-04-27
- Zalewski is no hero - he's a vandal
- Larry Seltzer at eWEEK agrees with me about the blatant disregard security researcher Richard Zalewski demonstrated yesterday when he unilaterally decided to disclose a potentially serious security vulnerability in Internet Explorer without providing the information to Microsoft first. Larry's a better man than me and doesn't go so far as...
- Blog posts 2006-04-27
- Super-Glue: Best practice for countering key stroke loggers
- Super-Glue: Best practice for countering key stroke loggersBanning passwords would be betterAt some point or other, a password will leak. Besting thing to do is use a physical smartcard cryptographic token. You can't key log that.Thanks for sharing that tidbit with us!Now I know what to look for...
- Discussion threads 2006-04-21
- Common sense and lawsuits don't mix
- In today's litigious society, common sense is often out the door with some juries with the "stick it to the man" mentality are eager to give large awards even when no real faults are found. In one of our more heated TechRepublic debates, member "sostermann" posts "Can porn spam...
- Blog posts 2006-04-11
- 'Brad Pitt' virus targets Microsoft
- 'Brad Pitt' virus targets Microsoft'Brad Pitt' virus targets MicrosoftBrad Pitt? Oooh this is going to be the sexiest virus yet!How come I never hear about Linux/Mac worms/viruses?Just wondering.in related news....the entire city of san francisco was brought to a screeching halt today.....- SamVirus? HardlyThis isn't a virus, just a...
- Discussion threads 2005-03-31
- Expert: Online extortion growing more common
- Expert: Online extortion growing more commonBad Code"Applications breaking after patching is the operating system vendor's fault," he said." Bullcrap! There can be JUST as much crappy programming in applications as are in the OS (M$ blurs that distinction). If app writers don't write to the standard interfaces, then crap happens...
- Discussion threads 2004-10-08
- Trojan horse exploits image flaw
- Trojan horse exploits image flawAt least..The criminals should be easily traceable.. considering they posted their malware on newsgroups.. And apparently the lowlife who wrote the sample exploit code left his name in the comments! Talk about a dumb criminal!Use Agent as your por... umm... I mean Usenet readerOutlook Express,...
- Discussion threads 2004-09-28
- Teen guilty of mobile spamming
- Teen guilty of mobile spammingBig frigging dealIf the phone #s have corresponding email addresses, then even 'offshore' programmers could get this right. Nothing special here, just a common run-of-the-mill teenage vandal who did this because it was relatively easy and he could. He probably found the program somewhere...
- Discussion threads 2004-06-24
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