If you are a programmer, why would you (or anyone else) want to create and /or spread a virus?

Question

Just curious why. What would someone gain by doing that?

Answer 1

Because you can. There's nothing to gain, other than a sense of self-satisfaction.

Answer 2

I personally don't know, because I'm not a programmer.

There are a few reasons:

First of all, money is a strong motivating factor:
Trojans can extract personal information, allowing hackers to steal identities.
Spyware allows these programmers to monitor your internet usage and give that info to companies who conduct research on market trends.

Second, viruses are often written in pure malice. These programmers want to hurt other computer users as much as possible, due to some personal deficiency or hatred.

Third, some programmers believe that it's fun to use code in this way and exploit the weaknesses of others. These callous programmers often don't think about consequences.

Finally, to lighten up the mood, I read somewhere that Muslim programmers made a virus that prevented internet users from viewing inappropriate (Hmmm... I wonder what those are...) web sites. I can understand their motives, but it's pretty interesting that they have so much devotion to their religion.

Answer 3

If I had made a computer software that i was selling to people online, I would made a computer virus to show people that they must buy the product instead of trying to get it free. The virus would destroy and delete your files and stuff. I think a lot of companies do that.

Answer 4

People who work at anti-virus companies create viruses to keep themselves in business. That is how they are able to stop the virus so fast, they create them.

Answer 5

Because some of them having the habit of that because they feel it is great to do that job.