CollabVM
| File:CollabVM logo.png | |
Type of site | Web virtual machine |
|---|---|
| Created by | Kyle "Dartz" Reese, Cosmic Sans |
| Website | computernewb.com/collab-vm/ |
| Commercial | No |
CollabVM (also referred to as Computernewb)[1] is a website which allows controlling remote virtual machines without the use of external programs.[2][3] The website was created in February 2015 by developers Kyle "Dartz" Reese and Cosmic Sans. It is currently maintained on GitHub by its own organization.[4]
Overview
CollabVM features several virtual machines run by administrators of the website, in which most of them run Microsoft Windows. Additionally, one runs Lubuntu and two have no operating system. Instead, the users collaborate to install one through a bot. The machines themselves are run using QEMU and displayed on the website using Apache Guacamole, an HTML5 VNC connector. The collaborative aspect works in a turn-based system, where users are given 18 seconds to control the virtual machine before the turn is given to the next person in the queue. Official virtual machines also run on a proxy server, where specific websites and search-terms are restricted to prevent destruction of the virtual machine or searches for illegal material. Official virtual machines are patrolled by site administrators that can mute or ban other users for breaking the site's guidelines.
CollabVM also allows for the creation of user virtual machines,[5] however this process is manual and requires contacting site administrators to add. These machines are run by their owners, and the owners of these machines can set separate guidelines and settings for their machines. These owners have administrative powers on their own machines.
History
2014
In July 2014, Dartz created a prototype version of CollabVM known as "Browser Computer". It used a backend written in Node.js, and a real computer running Microsoft Windows 95.
There was no chat or turns, so users typically had to fight to control the computer, or use another chat service to regulate themselves. The computer could also be shut down, in which case Dartz would have to manually restart it. The computer also did not have any snapshots, so it could be broken rather easily. Dartz later reconfigured the backend to connect to a QEMU-based VM which could be quickly restarted. This was short lived and Dartz eventually took the project down in November 2014.
2015-2016
In February 2015, Dartz opened up CollabVM again, this time using another backend known as "socket.computer", still written in Node.js. Dartz had modified the backend somewhat to fix vulnerabilities and add some small quality of life features as well.
In July 2015, Cosmic Sans and Dartz released the new backend for CollabVM onto the site, known as the "collab-vm-server". It is written in C++, and was designed to be more secure than the old socket.computer backend. New virtual machines were also added to the website, notably the addition of a modified version of Windows 7, named "Tiny7". Additionally, this version had support for uploading files directly into one of the virtual machines, via another piece of software known as the CollabVM Agent, which runs on the virtual machine itself.
On October 18, 2016, the collab-vm-server became open source software.
Virus Farm (2016-2017)
The Virus Farm was a subproject of CollabVM, created on June 14, 2016. It is unclear, but it seems the concept for the Virus Farm was based mostly on the XKCD strip "Network"[6] The Virus Farm was comprised entirely of virtual machines with file uploads enabled, which was designed to allow for users to upload viruses onto the virtual machines.
On April 8, 2017, due to results in a popular vote, it was decided to merge both the Virus Farm and CollabVM together, effectively killing the project.
2020-present
CollabVM is credited with the discovery of a ransomware by BleepingComputer,[7] while also being referenced on the ransom note to another.[8]
In the Season 18 Family Guy episode "Coma Guy", the titular character Peter Griffin falls into a coma and is assumed to be braindead after a fatal car crash. Frustrated with his family for pulling the plug on him, he makes unruly demands that causes them to leave as he is left alone to reminisce about them painting the walls together as a fly on the wall sings about it. After reconnecting with his family, they can be seen living out the memory as the fly is seen once again, this time singing about conspiracies and instructing viewers to visit "flyonthewall.buzz/truth" using the Tor Browser. Shortly after the initial airing of the episode, the mentioned domain was bought by Dartz and now redirects to the CollabVM webpage.[9][10]
In October 2020, a YouTube user known as Siam Alam posted a video, which showcased CollabVM.[11] This video caused the site to increase in activity due to the popularity of this video, as the website was very inactive before.
References
- ↑ "About Computernewb - What is it? | /r/collabvm". Reddit. May 24, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "CollabVM Alternatives and Similar Sites / Apps". AlternativeTo. Jan 6, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "Computernewb Wiki - CollabVM". Computernewb Wiki. Feb 13, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "Computernewb GitHub". github.com. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "UserVM". computernewb.com. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "xkcd: Network". Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "The Week in Ransomware - February 14th 2020 - Targeting MSPs". BleepingComputer. Feb 14, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "Arizona Ransomware - Decryption, removal, and lost files recovery". Jan 24, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "YouTube "Family Guy - Fly on the Wall"". YouTube. Apr 27, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
- ↑ "YouTube "What happens if you actually pay for ransomware?"". YouTube. Oct 26, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
This article "CollabVM" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:CollabVM. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
