NOAM@SARA.NL (10/04/89)
On or after the 12th of October, an undetermined number of computer 'viruses' are scheduled to start erasing the data of their unsuspecting hosts. One virus in particular, known as 'DATACRIME II', is an especially nasty specimen, as it not only spreads very rapidly, but also formats the hard disk of any computer it infests, permanently destroying all of the contents. DATACRIME was first detected in the Netherlands, and the leading computer publication of that country, PERSONAL COMPUTER MAGAZINE, commissioned computer expert Rikki Cate to write an 'antidote' program for its readers. Cate, an American who lives in the Netherlands, is a programmer specialized in this kind of work. Cate's Cure was an overnight sensation. Featured on radio, television and in Holland's leading newspapers, thousands of copies were distributed within the first few days and it has already inspired a number of hastily composed imitations. Even the Dutch police have begun distributing a version of their own. Cate's Cure, however, claims superiority to all of these. It is much faster, it actually removes the virus, it repairs damaged programs, it automatically searches all the directories on the hard disk, and it provides permanent protection against formating of the hard disk or new infections by the virus. None of the other programs released have any of these features. This is believed to have been confirmed in an independent test carried out by the Dutch Railways. In view of the huge demand and the clear anxiety indicated by that, Cate has decided, with the approval of PCM, to make the antidote more widely available at a cost of $10 per disk. Additional information can be obtained from her directly by calling 31-20-981963 in Amsterdam. Fax: 31-20-763706, telex 12969 neabs nl, Fido 2:280/2, electronic mail 31-20-717666, all marked to her attention. [Ed. Any chance of getting a copy of Catee's Cure on this side of The Pond, for electronic distribution?]