Community poll forum: Do antivirus software developers create viruses?

The question smacks of conspiracy theory of which I am a true believer. The net was supposed to be "free" yet we pay for all sorts of services for the "privilege" of surfing. It's the wild west in this new electronic universe and just like the wild west there are those who will exploit and extort for their own benefit and survival. It only makes sense that these scary individuals, brilliant computer geeks, will write dangerous code in order to keep people buying anti-virus software. It's a form of electronic terrorism (blackmail) in my opinion, which various world legal authorities should crack down on with as many resources as are being used to counter other terrorist activities.

I know I'm late on this but I just found this question. It is very simple, the answer is no the company does not creat it. They just know who does it and let them continue to do it. True what I see in other comments about the AV companies would loose money if people find out that they are directly involved. But they also know who the top hacker are and as long as there is a antivirus for the virus it is a win win deal. Remember it is all about greed, in every business today that is what it is about. Just look for a second, health ins, gas, and taxes. They are all runned by big businesses and as long as money is coming in they don't care who they hurt and that includes the computer company also. I just hope I don't get a major virus after this LOL.

Absolutely, why not this is one of the good process to get the money in a millions their sense.