XPUM04@prime-a.central-services.umist.ac.uk (Anthony Appleyard) (04/30/91)
[from Daily Telegraph (UK newspaper), Fri 28 April 1991]
<<BT's antidote to computer viruses, by Roland Gribben, Business Editor.>>
British Telecom [= BT] has set up an investigation to tackle an outbreak of
computer viruses. In one case, users found a ball bouncing across their
screens instead of data after part-time students unwittingly introduced the
"Italian bouncing ball" virus by bringing in disks from their local
college. Reports of viruses in the extensive computer networks operated by
BT are averaging one a fortnight[,] and half of them have been confirmed as
infected disks. The company [= BT] has set up a "help desk" as well as the
investigation team to try to control the problem. BT has 50,000 personal
computers and admits the problem has become serious. So far the viruses
have not disrupted sensitive systems or the telephone billing operation,
but the company has tightened controls on the use of software in an effort
to limit damage. An 18-point guide has been issued to staff to curb the
spread of contaminated disks. Employees are told not to borrow or lkend
software or programs between their own and BT computers and limit the use
of software to reputable manufacturers". The special investigation team at-
tempts to pinpoint the source of each virus and gather evidence in case of
legal action. Mr.Charles Brookson, operations manager of BT's electronics
systems security unit, says: "The objectives are to sanitise and restore
the system as soon as possible, gather evidence to use in claims against
third parties or as part of our own defence in litigation."
{A.Appleyard} (email: APPLEYARD@UK.AC.UMIST), Tue, 30 Apr 91 08:04:16 BST