Google accidentally sends a virus

Written by Brett Thomas

November 9, 2006 | 20:24

Tags: #video

Companies: #google

Subscribers to Google Video's e-mail list might have received a little more than what they bargained for, according to the company. Apparently, updates on Tuesday night sent a 50,000 recipient mass email that contained W32/Kasper.A@mm, also known as the Kama Sutra worm.

The email was sent from Google's corporate video blog, which highlights new videos to users. Apparently, the Google Video team sent the mail out with the attached virus "accidentally," though higher-ups in the company refused to comment on how. Later that night, Google issued a statement saying "On Tuesday evening, three posts were made to the Google Video Blog-group that should not have been posted."

This is not the first time that Google has been in a bit of trouble over its corporate blogs, nor the first time it has had quality control being questioned recently. Around a month ago, hackers found ways to post to the corporate blog from outside of the company, wreaking a little havoc on the search giant.

Much of the industry is chuckling about the issue, as the threat is fortunately not too serious. However, it does raise a little bit of concern for how well Google is able to protect itself now. The explosive growth over the past few years most certainly has left the company's flanks exposed for those curious (or devious) enough to find it. With the lack of details on how this accident occurred, it could even be possible that some have infiltrated it.

As the world grows more and more dependent on Google, will we see it becoming more of a target? Or is this just another isolated, fairly harmless incident? Tell us your views in our forums.
Discuss this in the forums
YouTube logo
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review

October 14 2021 | 15:04

TOP STORIES

SUGGESTED FOR YOU