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#Amiga Virus
9 messages in this thread
A couple of questions about virus' on the Amiga. How certain are we that
Amiga software on the CompuServe DLs are virus free? Second, I understand
that a cold start will eradicate the virus from the computer so that if one
is careful to use "clean", write-protected boot discs and always cold start
the computer one can avoid virus infections; however, what if you have an
internat clock? Can the virus attach itself to the clock and survive a cold
st since the clock is always active? I think these are important questions
for all Amigans… Comments anyone? Thanks…
John, you cannot get infeted by a virus by downloading software, and
un-arcing it. We test all software before making it public, and also check
to see that it doesn't infect the system with a virus. However, there is
no guarantee that a program won't do something after xx number of uses. All
in all we do our best to screen files. The best way to get a virus
however, is to boot with an infected disk.
Andy Finkel stressed here several times that there is no way for a virus to
live in the clock. There is VERY LITTLE ram in the clock, making it
impossible for a virus to hide there.
John, you cannot get infeted by a virus by downloading software, and
un-arcing it. We test all software before making it public, and also check
to see that it doesn't infect the system with a virus. However, there is
no guarantee that a program won't do something after xx number of uses. All
in all we do our best to screen files. The best way to get a virus
however, is to boot with an infected disk.
Andy Finkel stressed here several times that there is no way for a virus to
live in the clock. There is VERY LITTLE ram in the clock, making it
impossible for a virus to hide there.
I forgot to mention that I have yet to be infected with any Virus. The
only disks I use are my own, or from commercial software. The only other
place I get files from is here. And since I HAVE to test many files that
are uploaded, if there was some virus planting program here, I would have
run into it. It just hasn't happened so far! 🙂
I can also attest to that. I only run my own disk, or programs
downloaded from here or commercial software and have not been infected.
I can also attest to that. I only run my own disk, or programs
downloaded from here or commercial software and have not been infected.
I forgot to mention that I have yet to be infected with any Virus. The
only disks I use are my own, or from commercial software. The only other
place I get files from is here. And since I HAVE to test many files that
are uploaded, if there was some virus planting program here, I would have
run into it. It just hasn't happened so far! 🙂
I haven't read the other replies so this may be a repeat:
1. We test each program before we allow it to be available to the
public, as a result, we can say that we didn't not find the virus on any of
the programs here in the DL's HOWEVER, since some new virus may be
developed, and since it may hide itself in what looks like an otherwise
useful program and not activate itself until that program has been run x
number of times…we cannot guarantee that the programs are free of any harm
(virus or otherwise).
2. Yes, a cold start and booting with a clean write protected boot
disk will prevent any virus from spreading. It MAY not prevent a trojan
horse program, like mentioned above, from doing harm thou. For example, some
sickie could write a program that after running it 40 times will suddenly
format your hard drive if you have one. Prior to running the program 40
times, it may appear to be a real neat game, or neat utility or anything.
3. No, it is impossible to 'attach' a program to the internal clock
since there is no RAM to be attached to. The worst thing a virus could do to
your clock is to change the time…nothing else. A virus could not sit
inside the clock, there is no place to sit.
I hope that answers your questions.
Don
I haven't read the other replies so this may be a repeat:
1. We test each program before we allow it to be available to the
public, as a result, we can say that we didn't not find the virus on any of
the programs here in the DL's HOWEVER, since some new virus may be
developed, and since it may hide itself in what looks like an otherwise
useful program and not activate itself until that program has been run x
number of times…we cannot guarantee that the programs are free of any harm
(virus or otherwise).
2. Yes, a cold start and booting with a clean write protected boot
disk will prevent any virus from spreading. It MAY not prevent a trojan
horse program, like mentioned above, from doing harm thou. For example, some
sickie could write a program that after running it 40 times will suddenly
format your hard drive if you have one. Prior to running the program 40
times, it may appear to be a real neat game, or neat utility or anything.
3. No, it is impossible to 'attach' a program to the internal clock
since there is no RAM to be attached to. The worst thing a virus could do to
your clock is to change the time…nothing else. A virus could not sit
inside the clock, there is no place to sit.
I hope that answers your questions.
Don