Straight info about viruses !

Computer anti-virus programs

(The examples here use McAfee [www.mcafee.com], and F-PROT [www.f-prot.com], and references to Norton software [www.Symantec.com].

1. So, you have an anti-virus program!

   • Some people think that because they have an anti-virus program on their computer that they are protected against viruses. Not true !
   • Unless you have a TSR type program loaded in memory such as VSHIELD (for DOS) or VSLDWIN (for Windows) you are not protected ! These programs check files as they are run.
   • You need one for DOS and one for Windows !
   • If your computer is on a network or uses a memory manager like 386MAX, VSHIELD for DOS will not work and locks up the computer !

2. So how do you know if your computer is really virus free??

   • The ONLY way to know if your computer is free of viruses, is to use a clean boot disk with an anti-virus program on it.
   • When you put this disk in your computer A: drive and turn it on, the computer will not go to the C: drive, but will start-up or boot from the A: drive.
   • Since this disk is clean, no virus will be loaded into memory and hide itself.
   • When the anti-virus program begins, it will be able to see if a virus is sitting on the C: drive boot sector or master boot record, and destroy it.

3. How do I make a boot disk ??

   • To create a clean boot disk, you must have a clean C: hard disk!
   • To start with a clean disk, use a DOS installation disk that came with your computer. It is protected so that you cannot write to it and it cannot be infected.
   • You also need to have an anti-virus program on a disk that will go in your A: drive.
   • First, start your computer with an install disk, then Cancel or Exit the installation program. This will leave you in DOS.
   • Next insert the anti-virus disk and start it's program to check the C: drive.
   • (If it is McAfee, type "scan c: /clean")
   • (If it is F-PROT, type "F-prot C: /disinf")
   • If the program finds a virus and cleans it, then run it a second time! (It can only do one virus at a time)
   • When the program tells you that no viruses were found, your computer is clean.
   • Remove the diskette and restart your computer.
   • To create a new boot disk, insert a new diskette into the A: drive.
   • At the C: prompt ( C:\> ) type "format A: /s"
   • This formats a disk and places the start-up system files on the diskette.

4. Make this boot disk an automatic virus checker:

   • Copy the anti-virus program files to the clean disk in the A: drive.
   • Create a file named AUTOEXEC.BAT:
   • At the A:\, type "copy con autoexec.bat [Enter]"
   • Put the command to start the anti-virus program as above, then press [Enter]
   • Press [Ctrl] and [Z] together, then [Enter] to close the file. You will see the message "1 file copied".
   • Move the write protect tab of the disk to "safe".
   • Now the disk is ready for use !
   • Plan a regular time (every Monday) to use it to check your PC !

5. Use the anti-virus program on your PC to check ALL diskettes !

   • Make a .BAT file to check diskettes so you just type 'checka' or 'checkb' (checka.bat, checkb.bat)
   • The .BAT file only contains 1 line: (create it as above for Autoexec.bat)
   • [checka.bat] = scan a: /clean /many (using McAfee)
   • [checkb.bat] = f-prot b: /disinf /multi (using F-PROT)
   • Now you have no excuse for checking ALL your diskettes, and anything new !

6. Final summary !

   • Boot sector viruses can only infect a hard drive when they are left in the A: drive and the computer is turned ON.
   • If you do get a virus, use the boot disk to clean your C: drive, and then you MUST check every diskette you have with 'checka'.
   • Get into a habit of checking every diskette you put into your computer !
   • It will be that diskette that you misplaced or loaned out that will 'get you!'

The Ten most common viruses!

• All of these except the Word viruses reside on the boot sector or Master Boot Record of the hard disk and hide themselves.
  
• Any boot sector virus must be on a diskette in the A: drive when the computer starts up to infect the C: drive.
  
• Always check the A: drive before turning ON your computer !

1. Antiexe - can destroy .EXE files.
2. NYB - can infect non-protected diskettes.
3. Monkey - can infect non-protected diskettes.
4. Concept - a Word macro virus for .DOC and .DOT files
5. Wazzu - a Word macro virus for .DOT and .DOT files
6. Anticmos - can wipe your CMOS settings clean (Have to run Setup).
7. FORM - can create bad sectors on diskettes.
8. Stealth_C - can infect other diskettes.
9. NPAD - a Word macro virus for .DOC and .DOT files
10. Junkie - can corrupt .COM files

Virus Hoaxes!

• A.I.D.S. Virus Hoax
• AOL4Free Hoax
• Baby New Year Hoax
• Bud Frogs Screen Saver
• BUDDYLST.ZIP Email Hoax
• Deeyenda Hoax
• Ghost.exe Hoax
• Good Times Hoax
• Irina Hoax
• Join The Crew Hoax
• A Moment Of Silence Hoax
• Penpal Hoax
• Returned or Unable to Deliver Hoax
• Valentine's Greetings Hoax
• WIN A HOLIDAY - Email Hoax