paul@unisoft.UUCP (n) (03/26/88)
Here's what seem to be roughly the current definitions:
VIRUS - an unwanted piece of code that forces itself
self into computer systems
VACCINE - a piece of code designed to prevent the
intrusion of VIRUSES or designed to rid a
system of VIRUSES
I think that the biological analogy is breaking down ...
I suggest the following alternate definitions:
ANTIBODY - a piece of code designed to prevent the
intrusion of VIRUSES or designed to rid a
system of VIRUSES
VACCINE - a public fuss (or paranoia) about the possible
presence of VIRUSES designed to trigger the
writing of ANTIBODIES
Of course it's too late to change now but what the hell ....
Paul
--
(C) Copyright Paul Campbell, you only may redistribute if your recipients can.
E-mail: ..!{ucbvax,hoptoad}!unisoft!paul
Nothing here represents the opinions of UniSoft or its employees (except me)
"Nuclear war doesn't prove who's Right, just who's Left" (ABC news 10/13/87)pablo@polygen.uucp (Pablo Halpern) (03/29/88)
paul@unisoft.UUCP (n): > > ANTIBODY - a piece of code designed to prevent the > intrusion of VIRUSES or designed to rid a > system of VIRUSES > > VACCINE - a public fuss (or paranoia) about the possible > presence of VIRUSES designed to trigger the > writing of ANTIBODIES I don't think so. In the biological environment, an ANTIBODY is the body's NATURAL defense against intruders. A VACCINE is a medical treatment designed prevent the intrusion of VIRUSES or other other foreign invaders or to rid the body of invaders, *usually* by triggering the production of ANTIBODIES. In a computer system there is no equivalent to antibodies because computers have no natural defenses. Even if you consider security to be a natural defense, computer vaccines do not work by activating the computer's security system. Thus, VACCINE is already used correctly (in my opinion) and there is no need to refine our definitions. Pablo Halpern | mit-eddie \ Polygen Corp. | princeton \ !polygen!pablo (UUCP) 200 Fifth Ave. | bu-cs / Waltham, MA 02254 | stellar /