[FierceDraka]

Norton and all the anti-virus companies probably create all the viruses themselves. Ever notice how quickly they come out with downloadable software to pay for after any really bad virus attack?

That's my take on it as well. Reminds me of the Mafia and their "protection" rackets. "Youse pays us, an' don' break youse legs."

[anymouse]

Actually it is likely East European and Asian mafia groups behind these efforts. There are lots of talented programmers out there with a stolen laptop and WiFi card able to create some sophisticated malware, custom ordered for the highest bidder.

The payment probably arranged using freshly stolen credit card numbers used to place on-line gambling bets, with the winnings payed out to a PayPal account not otherwise connected to the stolen card.

I wonder if the CIA/NSA is doing much to hack into offshore on-line gambling customer databases in order to track this kind of money laundering? Probably not.

You can bet that Al Qauda uses the same techniques to launder their funds.