Writing Viruses for Fun, Not Profit

Explore the fascinating world of computer viruses in this 40-minute conference talk from linux.conf.au. Delve into the clever techniques viruses use to evade detection, replicate, and infect systems. Learn how viruses hide, sneak past checkpoints, attach to systems, and fight detection and removal. Examine concepts like self-replication, cryptographic obfuscation, and infection methods. Gain insights into thinking like a virus writer to better anticipate vulnerabilities and harden applications against attacks. Watch live demonstrations of writing PHP viruses and infecting willing targets, with principles applicable across programming languages. Discover how understanding virus behavior can improve cybersecurity practices, all while emphasizing ethical considerations.