Top Ten A.I. Characters (redux)

1. Jaundicedi
   October 19th, 2009 at 12:29 am

   The $#&@ malware is still there. Maybe warn first next time?

2. Tim Giachetti
   October 19th, 2009 at 1:42 am

   Thank Johnny. Great find.

3. Alex
   October 19th, 2009 at 1:46 am

   The malware is in Unreality Mag's third party ad server - it's a rogue ad in rotation with regular ads, so you don't always see it, but if you visit Unreality Mag often enough, you'll find it.

   Basically it's a pop up that automatically redirects you to a Virus Doctor website. The website will perform a fake scan that will always reveal a fake infection (viral/malware/unauthorized intrusion, etc) and will solicit you to buy a software (Virus Doctor) that can remove these infections. Unfortunately, the only malware is actually the Virus Doctor itself.

   Bleepingcomputer has more info about the rogue antivirus Virus Doctor here.

   Even if you ctrl-alt-del out of the browser or do a hard shut down, the next time the browser opens up, it will try to restore the session and the malware's fake scan will pop up again. Instead, start a new browsing session.

   Regardless, you can/should run an anti-malware/anti-spyware scan (like Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware freeware available at CNET) regularly.

4. Tim Giachetti
   October 19th, 2009 at 5:20 am

   Use firefox with AdblockPlus, Nothing runs that you don't approve first. I never get redirects, and it also will give a red screen with "known attack site" if you click a link.

5. Jenna Patrick
   October 19th, 2009 at 6:38 am

   Yikes, I think I might have gotten infected with something on my computer, but I downloaded Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware and it seemed to clean it up. If any of y'all got infected, I would download that.

6. Colin
   October 19th, 2009 at 6:57 am

   Easy solution, buy a Mac.

7. M555
   October 19th, 2009 at 9:56 am

   Thanks Colin. Big Help.

8. morton
   October 19th, 2009 at 10:20 am

   Malaware?

   Oh yeah thats a Windows thing.

   Wouldn't it be fun if AI was run on Windows,

9. PaulVI
   October 19th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

   So, um, who was #1? Btw, I'll take the Firefox + AdBlock solution on a WinXP laptop. Seriously, no viruses or BSoDs in 4 yrs of ownership @ 1/5 - 1/3 the cost of a mac laptop.

10. Kalel
    October 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    OK, then.... let's make our own list. Off the top of my head, here are some iconic AIs.

    -- Roy Batty, 'Bladerunner'.
    -- R2D2, 'Star Wars'
    -- David, 'A.I.'
    -- HAL, '2001'
    -- Robby, 'Forbidden Planet'
    -- Maria, 'Metropolis'
    -- The Gunslinger, 'Westworld'
    -- Data, 'Star Trek'
    -- The Wives, 'The Stepford Wives'
    -- The Terminator, 'The Terminator'

11. Johnny Cat
    October 19th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Kalel, that's a fine list, especially The Gunslinger. Their list only had four of yours, and hopefully the link can be fixed soon so ya'all can read the reasons for their picks. HAL was number one, btw.

12. Luvneatorama
    October 19th, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    It's an old one, but I've always felt COLOSSUS was a movie all congressmen should watch. I still think so.

13. BamaChris
    October 20th, 2009 at 1:08 am

    I agree.

14. Kalel
    October 20th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    I had Colossus on my list, but had to keep the list to ten. But certainly Colossus embodies everything we fear about Artificial Intelligence dominating mankind... while at the same time, he represents what we want MOST from Articial Intelligences: To be cared for.

    [SPOILER ALERT]

    Colossus gives a fascinating speech at the end of the movie, noting that under his rule, all we are giving up is our pride, and that in time, we will come to love and defend him.

    I think he's right.

15. Kalel
    October 20th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

    And I have to say, I think the Terminator owes much to the Gunslinger -- the image of the absolutely cold and relentless killing machine.

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