[comp.virus] init29: data->application?

jim@insect.Berkeley.Edu (10/24/89)

INIT29 is a "popular" :-) new Macintosh virus that has
the unusual property of being able to infect data files,
as well as applications.

QUESTION:  If a diskette that CONTAINS ONLY DATA FILES, which
are infected by INIT29, is accessed by an uninfected application
residing on a clean diskette,  can the virus spread to the clean disk?

(Prior to INIT29,  I had been advising my users that if they go
to Kinko's they would be safe if they took only their data diskette.
But if a data infection  can spread to their application disks,
this would not be good advice.)

Anyone got the REAL answer?

Jim Bradley, CNR Computer Facility, UC Berkeley