Not Too Much Of A Headache

A virus is just another computer program, created by talented–but malevolent–computer masters. “Some of the best and brightest programmers have put on black hats, " says antivirus pioneer John McAfee. He’s baffled by their motivation. “What makes some people pick up a baseball bat and break automobile windows instead of hitting balls?

Viruses are transmitted either by shared disks (as was Michelangelo) or over telephone lines. The virus program hides in a computer until, activated by a date, a time, or some other trigger, it springs to life. The results can range from harmless to horrid. The most common virus, Stoned, makes your screen announce: “Your computer is now stoned. Legalize marijuana.” (Regardless of your politics, you don’t want this one around; it can damage your files inadvertently.) The most deadly viruses, like Disk Killer, wipe out everything on your hard disk. Solution: either keep your computer isolated-no trading disks, no on-line communication-or else install one of a dozen or so commercially available antivirus programs that detect and delete the little time bombs.

The scariest new virus, NEWSWEEK has learned, is the Mutation Engine. This Eastern European creation can be modified to commit anything from mischief to mayhem, yet remains almost perfectly undetectable. Antiviral researchers are working feverishly on a cure. “Most people aren’t talking about it,” says McAfee, “hoping it will go away. " That’s unlikely, says Virginia Beach virus expert Roger Grimes: “After the publicity for Michelangelo, virus writers will be working overtime.” And maybe not just for publicity. “If they can come up with a virus that is hidden,” wonders Chuck Owens, chief of the FBIs economic crime unit, “will they next try to extort a business?”–as in, pay me $1 million or my virus will destroy your system.

In the meantime, money is being made by firms selling antivirus programs. Egghead Software stores logged a 3,000 percent jump in antivirus sales and Central Point, another maker of antivirus software, went into round-the-clock production. (Several companies offered free Michelangelo virus detectors; Symantec alone distributed more than a quarter-million copies.) Was the threat overblown by the companies that make millions selling antivirus software? Anne Rawland of Parsons Technology says that “thanks to the media blitz, no one will ever know what might have happened “-an untallied number of computer owners discovered and deleted Michelangelo before it was supposed to strike-on the artist’s birthday. Now that the public is virus conscious, sales will likely stay healthy.

title: “Not Too Much Of A Headache” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-23” author: “Lakeisha Proffitt”

A virus is just another computer program, created by talented–but malevolent–computer masters. “Some of the best and brightest programmers have put on black hats, " says antivirus pioneer John McAfee. He’s baffled by their motivation. “What makes some people pick up a baseball bat and break automobile windows instead of hitting balls?

Viruses are transmitted either by shared disks (as was Michelangelo) or over telephone lines. The virus program hides in a computer until, activated by a date, a time, or some other trigger, it springs to life. The results can range from harmless to horrid. The most common virus, Stoned, makes your screen announce: “Your computer is now stoned. Legalize marijuana.” (Regardless of your politics, you don’t want this one around; it can damage your files inadvertently.) The most deadly viruses, like Disk Killer, wipe out everything on your hard disk. Solution: either keep your computer isolated-no trading disks, no on-line communication-or else install one of a dozen or so commercially available antivirus programs that detect and delete the little time bombs.

The scariest new virus, NEWSWEEK has learned, is the Mutation Engine. This Eastern European creation can be modified to commit anything from mischief to mayhem, yet remains almost perfectly undetectable. Antiviral researchers are working feverishly on a cure. “Most people aren’t talking about it,” says McAfee, “hoping it will go away. " That’s unlikely, says Virginia Beach virus expert Roger Grimes: “After the publicity for Michelangelo, virus writers will be working overtime.” And maybe not just for publicity. “If they can come up with a virus that is hidden,” wonders Chuck Owens, chief of the FBIs economic crime unit, “will they next try to extort a business?”–as in, pay me $1 million or my virus will destroy your system.

In the meantime, money is being made by firms selling antivirus programs. Egghead Software stores logged a 3,000 percent jump in antivirus sales and Central Point, another maker of antivirus software, went into round-the-clock production. (Several companies offered free Michelangelo virus detectors; Symantec alone distributed more than a quarter-million copies.) Was the threat overblown by the companies that make millions selling antivirus software? Anne Rawland of Parsons Technology says that “thanks to the media blitz, no one will ever know what might have happened “-an untallied number of computer owners discovered and deleted Michelangelo before it was supposed to strike-on the artist’s birthday. Now that the public is virus conscious, sales will likely stay healthy.