Internet virus hidden in cartoon
Friday, May 16. 2008
A Japanese student has been suspected of embedding a computer virus in an image in an animated film before illegally distributing it online. Masato Nakatsuji has now been found guilty of copyright infringement and has received a suspended prison sentence.
Mr Nakatsuji allegedly embedded the Harada virus into the film, which is one of the most common viruses found in Japan. Japan has been slow to implement legislation that cracks down on cyber-crime, the Guardian reports. Mr Nakatsuji was the first case of a person being arrested in connection with making or spreading a virus.
In related news, around half a million web users were caught out this month by a Trojan disguised as a media file.
The Trojan could lead to a computer's security being compromised and was typically disguised as a music video or track. Security specialist McAfee said that it was one of the largest outbreaks for three years.
