Path: utzoo!lsuc!spectrix!yunexus!geac!daveb
From: daveb@geac.UUCP (David Collier-Brown)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Posting Virii (was Vaccination for nVIR virus)
Summary: This is the WRONG kind of information hiding.
Message-ID: <2466@geac.UUCP>
Date: 18 Mar 88 19:49:38 GMT
References: <4761@sdcsvax.UCSD.EDU> <650011@vx2.GBA.NYU.EDU>
Reply-To: daveb@geac.UUCP (David Collier-Brown)
Organization: The Geac Mine-Detector Department.
Lines: 31
Posted: Fri Mar 18 14:49:38 1988

In article <650011@vx2.GBA.NYU.EDU> spector@vx2.GBA.NYU.EDU (David HM Spector) writes:
> The distribution of ANY virus sources, benign or otherwise would be
> a very VERY bad thing.  It has now been shown through the experience
> with Mattias Urlichs demonstration virus exactly what happens when
> such sources are distributed.  They generate more viruses.  
> 
> PLEASE DO _NOT_ POST SOURCES OR OBJECTS FOR VIRUS PROGRAMS OR TROJANS!
> 

  Not posting sources will not stop them. It WILL make it difficult
for systems administrators to verify the usefullness and benign
nature of antiviruses.  

  Virii will not go away if you don't publish them or attempt to
obfusticate them.  It only makes you **feel** better knowing that
you aren't contributing to the problem. (This is a non-trivial
improvement, however: I'm reluctant to discuss them save by mail).

  A virus is like a land-mine: you check for them with a mine
detector and shoot anyone you find planting them.  You don't keep
their construction a secret unless you want to see the bomb-disposal
chap disappear in a loud puff of smoke.

 --dave c-b

  
-- 
 David Collier-Brown.                 {mnetor yunexus utgpu}!geac!daveb
 Geac Computers International Inc.,   |  Computer Science loses its
 350 Steelcase Road,Markham, Ontario, |  memory (if not its mind) 
 CANADA, L3R 1B3 (416) 475-0525 x3279 |  every 6 months.