For my job I need to sometimes deliberately infect a computer (that’s right – deliberately). There are test viruses out there – and that’s fine – but this time I needed the real deal to test some virus removal services. Since I’ve upgraded a number of computers to Windows 7 I decided to take a run at infecting Windows 7.
First I removed the installed anti-virus software (not that I completely believe in AV software – AV works except when it doesn’t).
Then I installed some P2P torrent software and started downloading some “content”. Then I installed some particularly obnoxious toolbars. Nothing. Day 1 ends with a computer stuffed up with crap, but no viruses.
Day 2 – I really want to avoid visiting salacious sites (but I was prepared to do so, if necessary, to support the cause). Having recently read about nasty scam-ads tied to social gaming sites I decided to give that a whirl. I registered for a social gaming site and started poking about. Sure enough a suspicious ad appeared, offering a video for me to view… the link to that site presented me with a page to update Flash. Since I wasn’t anywhere near the Flash site and the link smelled wrong I hoped for the best and…
…bingo! Trying to run the bogus Flash update application caused Windows 7 to fucking blue screen. You heard that – the all-mighty Windows 7 (which I do like, so no offense) fucking BLUE SCREENED.
After a reboot everything seemed ok, but I decided to let the computer fester a bit while I headed out to dinner with the family.
Upon my return a joyous sight awaited me. Pop-ups! Warnings of infections (from bogus AV software)! Multiple browsers opened with ads galore!
The moral of the story – Windows is Windows even if it has a “7″ in the title.
