Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!gatech!udel!rminnich
From: rminnich@udel.EDU (Ron Minnich)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Viruses and Stolen Software
Message-ID: <927@louie.udel.EDU>
Date: 4 Jan 88 17:02:53 GMT
Reply-To: rminnich@udel.EDU (Ron Minnich)
Organization: University of Delaware
Lines: 38

The issue of viruses has brought up the whole issue of stolen software.
Someone has claimed that you only get the virus if you steal software.
I hope that misapprehension has been laid to rest by the many stories
of people who have gotten hurt and who have NOT stolen software. 
I guess i am thick but i still do not see how the virus mongering
protects against software theft. Are people shipping these viruses
in production software as a way of protecting themselves? If so then 
the companies involved should be boycotted. If not then what 
is the link?
   As a founding member of a nascent Town Watch organization I have a 
thought or two about software theft on the Amiga. Crime exists
where i live because in many cases people refuse to get involved. 
'Someone else'- the police, the politicians, other organizations-
are expected to solve the problem. Yet people continue to buy 
hot lawn mowers; they are not willing to contribute time to
help fight crime; and so on. I see something similar happening
here. "commodore should do something"- but- people know of 
pirate boards and do not report them. I think if we really care 
about this machine and want to see it succeed we have to help, and
that includes shutting down the pirates any way we can. 
Commodore can not do it, and neither can the [Insert your 
favorite organization]. If we want this theft to 
stop then WE have to do it. Starting now. Or, the Amiga 
gets hurt. 
   As for the virus-mongers i think the solution is maybe
simple. I for one am willing to put up $25 as part of 
a reward fund. If we find the people doing this then we 
lock them out of user's groups and other organizations
for a period of five years. And we refuse to give them
aid and comfort of any form. I would vote for 
starting with SCA if possible. Generally criminals
(and that's what these are- vandals) are willing to
rat on each other for a little money. Maybe a reward 
will bring them out of the woodwork.
   Sorry if this comes on a little strong. I am quite mad
about this whole situation. 
-- 
ron (rminnich@udel.edu)