School’s out!
January 3, 2008 – 4:16 pmI was amased to see that the University of Calgary runs a course by a Dr. John Aycock which students to write malicious viruses!
The course, titled “Computer Viruses and Malware” is described by university literature as focusing on “developing malicious software such as computer viruses, worms and Trojan horses that are known to wreak havoc to the tune of billions of dollars world-wide on an annual basis.”
Dr. Aycock seems to believe that greater knowledge will lead to a greater understanding of how to stop viruses. I dont believe that the benifts are big enough to warrent this.
What would happen if a young kid on this course was to allow his homework out for a walk? I have to say that I would strongly encourage companies who get effected by viruses developed in the University labs to sue the University for damages! And why not?
“Should we teach kids how to break into cars if they’re interested in becoming a policeman one day? It is simply not necessary to write new viruses to understand how they work and how they can be prevented,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos Anti-Virus. “Sadly it seems the university is developing courses according to what it believes will be most attractive to potential students rather than focusing on skills that will be useful to them in the security industry. One wonders if the University will be held legally and financially responsible if any of the viruses written on their course break out and infect innocent computer users.”
In my years of virus reporting I have never written malicious code, as there is no need to do this to achieve a better understanding of how to defeat viruses? I dont think so!
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