Virus writer asks for work in MyDoom worm

Times must be getting tough for computer virus writers.

Technicians at British anti-virus firm Sophos Plc said on Friday they had discovered a plea for work inserted deep in the lines of code for two new computer worm outbreaks, "MyDoom-U" and "MyDoom-V".

"We searching 4 work in AV (anti-virus) industry," read the message. Because it was inserted in the code, the message was only visible to anti-virus professionals.

While the calling card may have won the programmer points for creativity, the anti-virus community was not impressed.

"It's hard to tell if the creators of these new versions of the MyDoom worm are being serious, but there is no way that anybody in the anti-virus industry would touch them with a barge pole," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos.

The latest MyDoom infections pack some power.

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Spread via e-mail, MyDoom-U and MyDoom-V contain a file attachment that, when downloaded, infects a computer with a malicious "back door" that blocks access to most anti-virus Web sites and turns the computer into a spamming machine, sending out junk e-mails.

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

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Sophos reported the latest MyDoom variants are not spreading rapidly -- a bad sign for the would-be job seekers.

"It's not surprising," Cluley said. "Many times virus writers are just poor programmers."