Malware :: One Question…Why?

Just the other day, I was browsing the internet and clicked on a link that someone had posted on Twitter.  It wasn’t a “work from home” link or “make millions by eating Doritos” scam; it was simply a link to a website with some interesting info.

At least that’s what I thought.

Thankfully, Google Chrome (my internet browser of choice) was smart enough to fend off my apparent stupidity, taking me to what could basically be described as a “are you really sure you want to load this, because I’m quite certain it will ravage you computer?” page.  Funny thing is, I actually gave it a thought.  I’d never run into this before and considered it might be a silly ploy to get me to click something and be courted by a new, better, sleeker virus protection software.  But it wasn’t that at all.  It really was threatening.  Chrome wasn’t just messing with me.

So I backed off and left it alone.

Shortly after, I started wondering exactly what Chrome was protecting my computer from when it said there was “malware” on the site I was attempting to access.  After doing about 90 seconds of research, I quickly found that malware is basically anything that falls under the scope of malicious software:  i.e. viruses.  These are broad terms, understandably, but Wikipedia defines malware as “…software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner’s informed consent.  The term ‘computer virus‘ is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.”

OK, so I get the basic gist of this.  Good software vs. bad software.  Good vs. evil.  Right vs. wrong.

The nagging question for me, however, is why?  Why bother?  What profit is there in this?  Someone hacking your bank account or other service to steal your identity for the purpose of monetary gain is reprehensible, but at least it follows logical thinking.  Hurt others to gain for yourself.  It’s selfish and terrible, but at least you understand the why.  In regards to viruses and other malware, what good does it do to simply destroy things that others own?  What gain is there?  Where do you benefit?  I can’t for even a single moment begin to understand this.  It would be the same as me walking through a crowded parking lot and randomly dousing cars with gasoline and lighting them on fire.

Pointless destruction.  For what?!!?  Again, I go back to the idea of motive.  If I was an individual that believed in revenge and settling scores and someone hurt me, I would try to hurt them back.  I at least understand that as a concept.  I don’t condone it, but I get it.  It’s the random acts of maliciousness that I can’t seem to comprehend.

If you do this crap, stop it!  You’re being a jerk and don’t even have a reason for it!  And if you are blowing up cars randomly, stop that, too!  (Just thought I should throw that in there after the last paragraph)  I believe, deep down, that there is goodness inherent in people.  It’s junk like this that pushes me to wonder if I’m a fool for doing so.

Has anyone reading this dealt with any of this garbage?  Do you have any understanding beyond what I do?  How does this stuff make you see humanity?  I’d love to hear what you think…