Interesting read.... some researchers from Tipping Point have infiltrated what is believed to be the largest botnet in operation.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9081258
They have actually demonstrated that they have the ability to subvert the entire botnet, even to the point where infected computers could be sent instructions to remove the bot client and effectively disinfect themselves. Raises the ethical question, though, of whether or not to fight malware with self-propagating code (often referred to as "white worms") or if the liability is too great when talking about invading peoples' infected computers and running unauthorized commands/programs, even though they have the best of intentions.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9081258
They have actually demonstrated that they have the ability to subvert the entire botnet, even to the point where infected computers could be sent instructions to remove the bot client and effectively disinfect themselves. Raises the ethical question, though, of whether or not to fight malware with self-propagating code (often referred to as "white worms") or if the liability is too great when talking about invading peoples' infected computers and running unauthorized commands/programs, even though they have the best of intentions.
