reynhout@wpi.wpi.edu (D Andrew Reynhout) (12/12/89)
First, I'd like to echo the thankyou sentiment to the authors of the various
virus detection / eradication programs. On top of being some of the most
professional looking things I've seen, the best ones are even public domain.
I have to congratulate you guys for that!
OK, that aside. A question from a relative virus neophyte. For a friend,
actually, as I have taken precautions myself...
A friend at Boston University has a weird problem that I have never heard
of...His Finder on his hard drive has been modified (judging by the Last Mod
Date), and the HD itself has been renamed to "Virus by Virax" or similar.
(This information was relayed over the phone last night. I'm not sure of the
spelling.) He has VirusDetective, but when he runs it, it thinks the drive is
clean. It won't boot, of course, but all of the files (other than Finder)
seem intact.
I suggested that he dump the Finder and System and Desktop, and pull the
files he could off of the HD (without running anything.) Unfortunately, the
Finder and System are locked or in use, and he doesn't have software that will
delete it in such a state.
Whatever. The point is that his HD is infected with something, but I don't
know what. This is no surprise, since the only virus I have any experience
with whatsoever is nVIR. I couldn't get him a copy of Disinfectant last night,
since he doesn't have a modem. He has a paper due Thurs/Fri-ish.
So, I guess my real question is, is it worth him coming out here to get a
copy of Disinfectant? (ie. What is the virus, and will Disinfectant take
care of it?)
Another quick question... With WDEF, is it OK just to delete the resource
from the Desktop file? I used Disinfectant on a couple of sick HDs I found
here at school, but I'm curious.
Thanks to all.
Andrew
--
Andrew Reynhout (Internet: reynhout@wpi.wpi.edu)
"Maybe if we pretend this never happened, they'll all just...go away."
- Laurie Anderson