[comp.virus] Using PD CRC programs and Scanners on LANs

AGUTOWS@WAYNEST1.BITNET (Arthur Gutowski) (03/19/90)

In Virus-L, v3.i59, Jim Molini gives an alternative to having to register
many copies of shareware programs for virus detection.  He suggests using
a PD CRC checker (eg, FILETEST by Len Levine) to monitor program changes,
and use your one registered copy of a scanner/disinfector if any changes are
detected.

I looked at SIMTEL20, and they have FILETEST available in directory
pd:<msdos.trojan-pro> under FILETEST.ARC.  Also available there is FILE-CRC,
another PD CRC program; there are several others around I'm sure.

We (at Wayne State) have a similar problem to the one he's addressing.
We are starting an IBM token-ring LAN, with Ethernet, and will be running
Novell.  There will be several workstations hooked up to a server.  Some will
be used for a special program involving teaching kids (high school age) how
to use PCs and word processors, database programs, spreadsheets, etc.
Development on these machines will not be an issue.  However, our Engineering
department also intends to use some of the workstations as well, and they
may very well do a fair amount of program development.

Jim, would you suggest the same approach for a network where there may be
heavy programming?  I'd like to see some more discussion of this topic.
I've also seen mention of PCDATA, PC Magazines PD antiviral package.  I
don't have any experience with it - has anybody used it and can you give
some evaluation of how it works?  Would this be a reasonable alternative
given our situation?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions,
  /=====\   Arthur J. Gutowski
 :  o o  :  Antiviral Group / Tech Support / WSU Univ. Computing Center
 :       :  5925 Woodward; Detroit MI  48202; PH#: (313) 577-0718
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