Is This Malware?

The video begins by addressing the Free Software Foundation's (FSF) claim that the host is platforming a cybercriminal by showcasing Anubis, a program designed to block AI crawlers. The FSF argues Anubis is malware.

The video explains the context, noting the increasing problem of DDOS attacks and the strain caused by Large Language Model (LLM) web crawlers on websites, including those hosted by the FSF. These crawlers consume significant resources, prompting the need for defensive measures.

The video introduces Anubis, a program that presents a proof-of-work challenge to website visitors to deter AI crawlers. Upon visiting a site protected by Anubis, the user's browser runs a JavaScript program to perform computations. Only after submitting the results is the user granted access to the webpage. The FSF classifies this JavaScript as malware.

The FSF argues that Anubis forces users to run unwanted calculations, similar to cryptocurrency mining. While the computations do resemble those used in crypto mining, they are closer to the original anti-spam use of proof-of-work, known as hashcash. The video disputes the malware classification, pointing out the broad definition the FSF uses.

The video argues that the FSF's broad definition of malware could encompass many common web technologies. It suggests that while Anubis is not a perfect solution, it could serve as a temporary measure while better solutions are developed. The video concludes with a question for viewers to discuss whether Anubis is, in fact, malware or if the FSF is overreacting.