bert@helix.nih.gov (Bert Tyler) (03/15/91)
>1) I downloaded from the cica uploads directory a file called yourway.zip > .. >2) tried to run it from windows > .. >4) warm-boot pc & reenter win ... looks funny ... try & edit win.ini ... > contents are gone & replaced with: > <binary garbage> YourWay Ha Ha Ha! <binary garbage... I don't mean to be picky, but what you are describing would be what is referred to as a "trojan horse" program, not a virus. A trojan horse is a program that is advertised to perform one function, but in fact does something else - usually destructively, as in this case. A virus program is a piece of code that attaches itself to other programs and spreads itself around that way. Virus-detection programs in general aren't going to help you detect programs such as the one you described above. (Actually, this terminology difference is only important to me because I know a lot of mainframe folks who can calmly discuss trojan horses, time bombs, and their brethren - but who panic and attempt to throw every PC in their company out the window as soon as they hear the word "virus".)