[comp.sys.atari.8bit] Atari 8-bit Virus

Thufir@cup.portal.COM (09/10/88)

  It might very well be possible for an init segment in a multiple segment
binary load file, that would be a virus that could reproduce its own
segment into another binary file, to exist on the 8-bit.   However,
due to the relative slowness of disk i/o when using a standard drive,
and the beeping/clicking associated with it, it could hardly go unnoticed.
However, someone with a MIO or very fast hard drive, may not notice such
an operation taking place, due to the speed and lack of beeping.  It is
quite possible, but due the relative simplicity of the 8-bit's operating
systems (dos and such), it most likely wouldn't be able to go unnoticed.
(I'd sure notice a file such as Textpro making writing sounds when loading,
or a copy of Express 850 that was 500 sectors long, or a strange occurance
in my STARTUP.BAT file, or even a file that never existed before suddenly
popping up.)

  Yes, it's possible, but we are less vulnerable to having things go unnoticed.