But it doesn’t work exactly like a traditional virus. This time, viruses are simply a beachhead for even more malicious actions taken by hackers or child-porn collectors and purveyors. Anyone with the computer know-how could use a virus-infected computer as a remote hard drive to store all their illegal content.
Rhode Island residents Michael and Robin Fiola caught both barrels of this illegal activity, and they’re still fighting with the state authorities to clear their names
The AP revealed this new kind of virus after an extensive investigation, in which it was revealed that actual pedophiles use the “virus” defense in their own cases.
"It's an example of the old 'dog ate my homework' excuse," said Phil Malone, director of the Cyberlaw Clinic. "The problem is, sometimes the dog does eat your homework."
In the Fiola’s case, Michael Fiola’s employers discovered that he had four time the normal amount of data stored on his work computer. They discovered child porn and fired him. Since then, the Fiolas have spent more than $250,000 trying to clear their names.
But how can respectable citizens protect themselves from these kinds of attacks? It’s not easy, according to says Jeremiah Grossman, founder of WhiteHat Security Inc.
"Computers are not to be trusted," he said.
