Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!cert.sei.cmu.edu!krvw From: nicholas@nevada.edu (Nick Holmberg) Newsgroups: comp.virus Subject: Re: Military Virus and SciFi books Message-ID: <0008.9005311752.AA12584@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu> Date: 31 May 90 07:01:20 GMT Sender: Virus Discussion List Lines: 14 Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu If you want the cyberpunks' view, please ask a similiar question in the newsgroup alt.cyberpunk. In case you don't already know, VR viruses are talked about in many cyberpunk books. The premier cyberpunk book in Neuromancer by William Gibson. In this book a virus is unleased that contains information so dense that it creates a "virtual black hole." Another possibilty for VR viruses is a program that attacks users, not computers. For the most effective VR, a user must be "plugged in" to his computer, so that all sensory input is from VR. If the user is completely jacked in, a nice little sensory overload could effectively kill or maybe just maim. Like I say, for a look at future viruses, just go ask the console cowboys.