Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!mit-eddie!rutgers!att!chinet!henry
From: henry@chinet.chi.il.us (Henry C. Schmitt)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: I'm not sure I believe this. (was Re: New WDEF Virus)
Summary: It's Gospel!
Keywords: Norstad Truth
Message-ID: <1989Dec8.164800.8091@chinet.chi.il.us>
Date: 8 Dec 89 16:48:00 GMT
References: <1886@accuvax.nwu.edu> <12044@phoenix.Princeton.EDU>
Reply-To: henry@chinet.chi.il.us (Henry C. Schmitt)
Organization: Chinet - Chicago Public Access UNIX
Lines: 60

In article <12044@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> bskendig@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Brian Kendig) writes:
>In article <1886@accuvax.nwu.edu> jln@accuvax.nwu.edu (John Norstad) writes:
>>A new Macintosh virus named "WDEF" has been discovered in Belgium,
>>at Northwestern University, and at the University of Texas.
>>
>>You do not have to run a program for the virus to spread.
>
>Then how *does* it spread?
>
>I've learned not to get worried at the sight of what might be a bad
>virus.  (Just look at the DataCrime virus in the IBM PC that was
>supposed to wipe hard drives clean on Columbus Day - nothing big ever
>came of that, but people panicked anyway.)
> [Stuff Omitted]
>Now, call me a doubting Thomas,...
> [ More stuff omitted ]
>I'm not blaming anyone for anything.  I'm just stating that the events
>thus far surrounding the 'virus' have been somewhat questionable.
>
>I will wait for more information before I set up my defenses against
>the WDEF virus.
>
>     << Brian >>
>
>-- 

Brian (and other doubters) -
	Set up your defenses NOW!  In case you didn't note the
originator of the message, John Norstad is NOT a Panic Monger.  If
he's posting information about the virus, it means he has a copy,
has confirmed its viral status and is in the process of
disassembling it to find the gory details of how it works (if he
already hasn't completed that)!

	As for your insinuation that he may be doing this for profit
on an antivirus program, please note that he is distributing
Disinfectant for _FREE_ at Northwestern University's expense!  Also
note that he specifically says the his program does NOT recognize
the virus.

	I personally doubt the reports of any new virus (such as the
MacWite Virus) until John has had his say.  As to the method of
spread of the virus, John may not have completely determined it at
this time and is refraining from giving out partial or
mis-information.

	I _strongly_ recommend that you start taking precautions NOW
rather than waiting until it's too late!  If it's been found in as
wide-spread locations as Belgium, Illinois, and Texas you better
believe it's all over!

				Henry C. Schmitt
				Author of Virus Encyclopedia

P.S.  I'll try and spend time this weekend updating Virus
Encyclopedia.  Look for a new version soon!
-- 
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