Hackers are using techniques popularised by developers of open-source software like Linux to improve their malicious code, a researcher at McAfee has said.

Nowhere is this more apparent than within the growing families of ‘bot’ software, which allow hackers to remotely control infected computers. Unlike viruses of the past, bots tend to be written by a group of authors, who often collaborate by using the same tools and techniques as open-source developers.

“Over the last year and a half, we’ve noticed how bot development in particular has latched on to open-source tools and the open-source development model,” he said.

The current generation of bot software has grown to the point where open-source software development tools make a natural fit. With hundreds of source files now being managed, developers of the Agobot family of malware, for example, are using the open-source CVS (Concurrent Versions System) software to manage their project.

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Filed under: Security - @ July 18, 2006 4:10 am