dbuchtal@math.lsa.umich.edu (Dave Buchthal) (08/12/90)
I have seen what claims to be version 4.01 of VirusX. It is distributed without any source code, which I find very unusual. Could someone who knows better please explain if this is for real or a hoax? Dave Buchthal
ked01@ccc.amdahl.com (Kim DeVaughn) (08/12/90)
In article <1990Aug11.173405.6722@math.lsa.umich.edu> dbuchtal@math.lsa.umich.edu (Dave Buchthal) writes: > > I have seen what claims to be version 4.01 of VirusX. It is > distributed without any source code, which I find very unusual. > Could someone who knows better please explain if this is for > real or a hoax? Did you read Steve's (?) explanation, which certainly sounds reasonable? It's the "release.note" file, which I've appended. I just started using it (v4.01), and it hasn't done anything evil to me (yet). The "-N" option does seem to have a bug though ... if started using -N, when I put a floppy into df0:, after 1st having put one into df1:, I get a Task Held requester. The floppy(s) are OK, and so far, I haven't found a work- around for the problem. I'll be reporting this to Steve next time I get on BiX ... /kim v4.01 release.note file: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv If you are new to VirusX, please hunt down "VirusX_4.0.LZH", the last full release of VirusX. It includes a program to seek out and remove link viruses from your hard disk, and the full documentation and source to VirusX. You should be able to find it wherever you found this version - if not, ask for it. VirusX 4.01 is a small update from VirusX 4.00 - I've made a lot of changes to the program, but there is only one visible change - and it's actually an invisible change. VirusX no longer has to open a window. The new "-N" option will cause VirusX to run in the background and do all that it usually does, without opening a window. "But how do I look at disk boot blocks, then?" you ask? Even if you didn't ask, here's how to do it - you just run VirusX again. VirusX will notice that it's already running, and ask if you want the other copy to quit, open its window, or if you want to just cancel the whole operation (leave the other copy running, and quit this new copy). You cannot have two copies of VirusX running - but why would you want to anyway? I fixed a few bugs from V4.00, mainly the read-from-location-zero bug that caused VirusX to crash on machines with 2091 hard disk controllers, among other things. This version of VirusX is fully compatible with AmigaDOS 2.0, and will take advantage of its improved Intuition in simple places (ie, moving the VirusX window around), where approporiate. This does not affect how VirusX behaves under 1.3 and earlier versions. This version of VirusX is being released WITHOUT the source code. This is because the current source has requires the AmigaDOS 2.0 includes to compile, and these are not currently available to the general public. I am also not including the documentation or KV in the release archive, simply because none of these things have changed. The next full release of VirusX will have all these items, and if you are the picky sort, you can ignore this version until the next full release. V4.01 checks for no new viruses. I do have a number of new viruses to add, but haven't had time to do it, and a bug fix release is long overdue. Staying current with VirusX isn't as easy as it sounds. There are currently two known "Bogus" versions of VirusX - Virusx 4.4, and VirusX 5.0. Neither of these are my product. The only way to be sure of the latest version is either to call my BBS, Plink, Bix, or Me (in that order!). If you are going to distribute VirusX to others, ie, on a disk-of-the-month or on a disk magazine, please make sure you have the current version. If you wish to get ahold of me for any reason, the best way is via modem. I'm an assitant chairman of the AmigaZone on People/Link, known there as STEVEX. I'm also on Bix, known as "s.tibbett". If you aren't on one of those services, then you can call my BBS at 613-731-3419. If you really need to speak to me, call me in the evening at 613-731-5316. Writing to me is not a good idea, as I don't normally respond to mail (though I do read everything I get). I'm also changing the status of VirusX slightly. VirusX is no longer "Public Domain", but is instead now classed as "Freely Redistrutable, Copyright 1990 Steve Tibbett". You are free to distribute VirusX as a part of any collection that is being sold for the cost of duplication and distribution, providing that you verify with me the status of the version you plan to distribute. (If you just downloaded it from Plink or from my BBS, then don't bother). Online distribution in any form is okay. Any other distribution (specifically disk magazines) should contact me. (I don't like legal stuff, but I like the idea of a version of VirusX that can do damage to people's systems being distributed even less, hence this paragraph). IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have had VirusX complain about the CoolCapture vector when you run it, and you are using either AmigaDOS 2.0 or SetPatch r (the r option on SetPatch - check your startup sequence), then that is the cause of it. If you run VirusX with the "-r" option, then it will not complain about this. (It will actually not complain about ANY unknown coolcapture vectors above $80000, but this does not affect its detection of all known viruses, even if they are up there). On SOME systems in some configurations, I'm really not sure what, VirusX will complain about the SetPatch capture even with the -r set. If this happens, use the "-c" option which will turn off the capture checking altogether. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -- UUCP: kim@uts.amdahl.com -OR- ked01@juts.ccc.amdahl.com or: {sun,decwrl,hplabs,pyramid,uunet,oliveb,ames}!amdahl!kim DDD: 408-746-8462 USPS: Amdahl Corp. M/S 249, 1250 E. Arques Av, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 BIX: kdevaughn GEnie: K.DEVAUGHN CIS: 76535,25
hrlaser@crash.cts.com (Harv Laser) (08/12/90)
In article <1990Aug11.173405.6722@math.lsa.umich.edu> dbuchtal@math.lsa.umich.edu (Dave Buchthal) writes: >I have seen what claims to be version 4.01 of VirusX. It is >distributed without any source code, which I find very unusual. >Could someone who knows better please explain if this is for >real or a hoax? > >Dave Buchthal VirusX 4.01 is an "interim release" from Steve Tibbett. It is a legitimate release providing the copy you acquire contains these two files in these sizes with these names: Listing of archive: 'dl:vx401.LZH' Original Packed Ratio Date Time Type CRC Name -------- ------ --- -------- -------- ----- ---- ------------ 20892 11683 45% 07-14-90 12:56:32 -lh1- 2B8C virusx 4481 2256 50% 07-14-90 12:50:36 -lh1- 4B05 release.note -------- ------ --- 25373 13939 46% 2 file(s) Operation successful source code was not included with this release. Harv Laser {anywhere}!crash!hrlaser "Park and lock it. Not responsible." People/Link: CBM*HARV