Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!bloom-beacon!usc!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnewsj!jwi From: jwi@cbnewsj.ATT.COM (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Article on Datacrime virus Summary: Check your facts before opening mouth Message-ID: <787@cbnewsj.ATT.COM> Date: 22 Sep 89 12:55:00 GMT References: <762@cbnewsj.ATT.COM> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 31 dennis.r.vogel writes: > As with all viruses, etc. that are triggered on a certain date, you > can attempt to flush them out by resetting the system date to the > suspected trigger date, Oct. 13 in this case. (A disk backup is > strongly suggested before doing this.) > > Depending on how long the virus takes to manifest itself after the > date, you can judge whether you have it or not. This might be > useful *before* sending someone $25. If you find you've got it, > then get the anti-viral program to determine which of your program(s) > are infected so you can remove them. > > No need to send me anything for this advice--it's free. The virus > gurus should be telling everyone this, too, rather than just asking > for money for their products especially if the chances of having the > virus are rather small. If you bothered to check your facts (perhaps by reading comp.virus), you'd have known that most of the virus detecting and correcting programs are available free from the Home Base BBS. You'd also have discovered that if youwant somebody to take the time to copy programs for you, you would generally be expected to pay for their time and for the media. Further, you'd probably have discovered that there is at least one company out there who is distributing some of the free virus software written by one of the "gurus" and charging for it. No need to send me anything for this advice -- save it for your dentist Jim Winer