HabitableZone

Geek Speak

Good questions #2

I remember once at work I got a bad computer virus, I don't remember all the details, but I was able to isolate a file from the virus that was the source code for the malware. I didn't know the language, but I recognized programming structures like loops, if-statements and subroutine calls. There were even comment statements, and they were hysterical. The hacker had spread all sorts of verbiage in his code, not just to help him and others follow it, but to show off. He was obviously proud of his work. It was in English and Portuguese, which is close enough to Spanish that I have about 90% comprehension. (I think the guy was Brazilian). One line even gave credit to several other programmers whose code he had ripped off!

When the tech from IT department came to flush out my system, I threw the file into an editor so he could look it over. He was a young dude, the kind I imagine get degrees as "software engineers" these days.

"That looks like the source code for this virus.", I said.

He stared at it for a while, then said,

"So THAT's what source code looks like."

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (2 posts)

Related discussions