Worm turns on webcams

A VIRUS WRITER has decided that the wants to see the look on your face when you discover your computer is infected by his handiwork.

According to Sophos a virus called Rbot-GR, which has been seen in the wild but not done much yet, switches on your webcam. Media friendly Sophos spokesman Graham Cluley said that the virus allows the writer to peek into the lives of victims and is pretty creepy.

Although the virus has not been particularly successful at reproducing, it is possible that it could become a standard feature of future viruses, Cluley said.

Technically it has been possible for ages. Programs like Back Orifice could allow hackers to turn on anything they liked on a system. However the program could not spread itself, and Rbot can.

This could mean that a hacker could control a whole army of web-cams, although quite what one would do with an army of the things Cluely didn't say.

Certainly taking over one cam could have its uses if you wanted to spy on an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend, but it is more likely to be used by script kiddies just to see the look on the faces of computer owners when they find out they are infected. Apparently it is better than sex and face it such gonzos need substitutes.