A piece of computer history was sold for a hefty price. This computer contained some of the worst PC viruses of all time.
When someone buys a gaming laptop, they usually lay out no more than 1,000 or 2,000 € and ensure that the PC is free of viruses. However, the opposite was true in the case of an auction for the Samsung NC10. This laptop was sold for 1.345 million US dollars. Its hard drive contains six of the formerly most dangerous computer viruses.
Six viruses causing nearly 100 billion in damage: The Samsung NC10, nicknamed “The Persistence of Chaos”, is a laptop with 6 of the worst computer viruses that have caused billions in damages. The following viruses are stored on the machine, whose names might still ring a bell for some:
- WannaCry
- BlackEnergy
- ILOVEYOU
- MyDoom
- SoBig
- DarkTequila
Especially the WannaCry virus is likely still remembered, as it infected more than 200,000 computers in 150 countries, causing damages of over 4 billion US dollars – especially hospitals were affected.
The BlackEnergy virus was also a problem and caused the power grid to collapse in parts of Ukraine.
In total, these six viruses have caused an estimated 95 billion dollars in damage.
A piece of art for weapon collectors: Overall, the Samsung NC10 is not to be understood as a weapon like something out of a Bond film, but is meant to be a work of art and perhaps also a somewhat eerie reminder that cyber crimes can have dramatic effects on the real world. It is not intended to unleash these viruses again, but rather serves as a (strange) sword that one can hang on their wall. A piece for collectors, indeed.
Viruses are completely outdated: The viruses contained on the laptop are now outdated and could only cause little damage. The corresponding security vulnerabilities have long been patched, and current antivirus software would immediately react to the intruders. It is therefore nothing more than a memento of once dangerous cyber weapons.
Would you, as collectors, spend so much money on a laptop with outdated software? Or is this a piece of art that – as so often – simply can’t be understood?
