Framed for ***** porn - by a PC virus!

[SolidCobra]

Let me preface this by noting that this story was plastered all over ABC, Yahoo, Google News, the NY Times, most of the tech sites on the web as well as the major metro newspapers like Denver Post and SF Chronicle.

Most of the variations I read say nothing about how easy it is to protect yourself from something like this - or how absolutely clueless you have to be to set the permissions on your computer that would allow a stranger to take over remote access.

None of that seems to matter in the scramble to scare the **** out of everyone and make them believe that the pedophiles are out to get you!

Nonetheless, it's a frightening thought:

AP IMPACT: Framed for ***** Porn _ by a PC Virus - ABC News

Of all the sinister things that Internet viruses do, this might be the worst: They can make you an unsuspecting collector of ***** pornography.

Heinous pictures and videos can be deposited on computers by viruses — the malicious programs better known for swiping your credit card numbers. In this twist, it's your reputation that's stolen.

Pedophiles can exploit virus-infected PCs to remotely store and view their stash without fear they'll get caught. Pranksters or someone trying to frame you can tap viruses to make it appear that you surf ******* Web sites.

Whatever the motivation, you get ***** porn on your computer — and might not realize it until police knock at your door.

An Associated Press investigation found cases in which innocent people have been branded as pedophiles after their co-workers or loved ones stumbled upon ***** porn placed on a PC through a virus. It can cost victims hundreds of thousands of dollars to prove their innocence.

One case involved Michael Fiola, a former investigator with the Massachusetts agency that oversees workers' compensation.

In 2007, Fiola's bosses became suspicious after the Internet bill for his state-issued laptop showed that he used 4 1/2 times more data than his colleagues. A technician found ***** porn in the PC folder that stores images viewed online.

Fiola was fired and charged with possession of ***** pornography, which carries up to five years in prison. He endured death threats, his car tires were slashed and he was shunned by friends.

Fiola and his wife fought the case, spending $250,000 on legal fees. They liquidated their savings, took a second mortgage and sold their car.

An inspection for his defense revealed the laptop was severely infected. It was programmed to visit as many as 40 ***** porn sites per minute — an inhuman feat. While Fiola and his wife were out to dinner one night, someone logged on to the computer and porn flowed in for an hour and a half.

Prosecutors performed another test and confirmed the defense findings. The charge was dropped — 11 months after it was filed.

The Fiolas say they have health problems from the stress of the case. They say they've talked to dozens of lawyers but can't get one to sue the state, because of a cap on the amount they can recover.

 

[Vanilla Bear]

ABSOLUTELY NO ***** Porn topics allowed!

CLOSED!