damon@umbc2.umbc.edu (Damon Kelley; (RJE)) (10/25/89)
Earlier this week I was reading a book by Peter Norton. There was
a passage about the importance of .OBJ files created by compilers
(esp. assembly). While I was pondering the importance of .OBJ files,
an idea hit me: since this type of file is non-executable and can only
run when linked, wouldn't self-attaching viruses be scrambled when the
"host" file is changed to an .EXE?
Of course, the following factors would come into play:
-the linker and the compiler must not be infected;
-there are no viruses present in RAM or the disk(s) of the user;
-the user must be willing to buy some compilers and linkers with
as little economic discomfort as possible;
-virus writers don't know very much about manipulating .OBJ files
correctly; and
-the .OBJ file was not compiled with an attached virus.
In other words, wouldn't it be safer if all programs came .OBJ
files (or ASCII)? That would eliminate much of the virus transmission
going on now, I think.
Counterpoints welcome.
Damon Kelly
jnet%"damon@umbc" "What? Do I speak for anyone
damon@umbc.bitnet else?? Does Reagan remember
damon@umbc2.umbc.edu what he did between 1980-'88??"