[comp.virus] vendors releasing viruses

odawa@well.sf.ca.us (Michael Odawa) (06/09/89)

As more bogus evidence that vendors would release viral code, Roman
Olynyk cited an ominous warning that appeared in Microsoft Word for
the Mac, version 1.00.

This is bogus evidence for at least two reasons.  First, the warning
portended file destruction, but not viral release.  Second, if I
remember my facts correctly, that was a totally misleading and
unauthorized warning written into the application by a junior
programmer.  No destructive code was in the program.  When its
presence became known to the company, I believe the employee was
terminated.

Again, let me reiterate.  Software developers are as aggrieved by
viral infections as anyone.  We use more software than you do.  It
would be contrary to both our immediate and long-term interests to
poison our own products.

We're on the same side as you, folks.  We want this stuff to work.