odawa@well.sf.ca.us (Michael Odawa) (06/08/89)
In virus-l 2:130, L. Anne Cole asked, > Is it possible that the software packagers are spreading viruses to their > competition (for obvious reasons). "Hi, I'm a virus, are you a database? > Are you my database? CRUNCH." Sounds rather strange, but... while in virus-l 2:131 Gordon Meyer responded, > While I would like to think this isn't happening, there is evidence to the > contrary. Let us set the record straight on this subject: No known software publisher has ever intentionally released a virus into circulation, nor is it likely that any would do so, as it would be contrary to their interests. Viruses threaten the entire software industry and expose the releasing party to an enormous legal liability. As "evidence to the contrary" Mr. Myer cites an article he read which in turn vaguely suggested that some (unnamed and unnameable) developers "might be introducing viruses as a means to fight software piracy." Software developers and publishers are as disturbed as anyone about the spread of viruses. We do not see their propagation to be in anyone's interest. As producers of software, we are offended by the way viruses assault our customers and deface the product of our labors. As heavy users of computer programs, we become as inconvenienced as anyone when we fall victim to a viral outbreak. The idea of releasing viruses to protect intellectual property rights sounds as bizarre to us as would be the idea of bombing libraries to protect authors' copyrights. The Software Development Council has an active Virus Task Force which exchanges viral identification information, and promotes the incorporation of antiviral measures into mainstream software products. If anyone would like information on what software developers are doing to fight viruses, please send me your snail mail address. Michael Odawa Software Development Council of North America odawa@well.uucp
hull@unmvax.cs.unm.edu (Jeff Hull) (06/13/89)
In virus-l 2:130, L. Anne Cole asked, >>> >>> Is it possible that the software packagers are spreading viruses to their >>> competition (for obvious reasons). "Hi, I'm a virus, are you a database? >>> Are you my database? CRUNCH." Sounds rather strange, but... while in virus-l 2:131 Gordon Meyer responded, >> >> While I would like to think this isn't happening, there is evidence to the >> contrary. In article <0001.8906081951.AA00599@ubu.CC.Lehigh.EDU> VIRUS-L@IBM1.CC.Lehigh.EDU writes: > >Let us set the record straight on this subject: > >No known software publisher has ever intentionally released a virus >into circulation, HORSEFEATHERS! Perhaps you mean to say no software publisher is publically known to have intentionally released a virus into circulation. By definition, you, nor we, do not know of "secret" or "undiscovered" releases of viruses by software publishers. there may be some or there may be none. But YOU DON'T KNOW! >nor is it likely that any would do so, as it would >be contrary to their interests. HORSEFEATHERS! Several scenarios have been proposed in which a software publisher would gain some advantage from releasing a virus, provided only that knowledge of such behavior could be kept secret. Anne Cole provides one such in her article cited above. The undetected release of a virus in a purportedly stolen copy of proprietary software could easily deter people who might otherwise be just a little casual in their software acquisition policies. A clear benefit to software publishers. >Viruses threaten the entire software industry Not clear. And certainly not proven. >and expose the releasing party to an enormous legal liability. If caught and if sufficient evidence can be collected to prove such in a court of law. >As "evidence to the contrary" Mr. Myer cites an article he read which >in turn vaguely suggested that some (unnamed and unnameable) >developers "might be introducing viruses as a means to fight software >piracy." Mr. Meyer did not offer any evidence. I wish he would! Or anyone else out there who has some EVIDENCE. Not just a story without substantiation. >The idea of releasing viruses to protect intellectual property rights >sounds as bizarre to us as would be the idea of bombing libraries to >protect authors' copyrights. Let's compare apples to apples, please. The accurate comparison is the bombing of a printing shop which makes copies of a book without paying the author's royalties. A clear benefit to the author. Blessed Be, Jeff Hull ...!ncar!dinl!hull 1544 S. Vaughn Circle 303-750-3538 It was great when it all begaaaaan, Aurora, CO 80012 I was a regular <USENET> faaaan, ....