VIRUS-L Digest Monday, 27 Mar 1989 Volume 2 : Issue 72 Today's Topics: Re: Dick Tracy vs. viruses Viruses & Media Inaccuracy Request for IBM PC Anti-virals --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 24 Mar 89 12:17:00 EST From: Ed Nilges Subject: Re: Dick Tracy vs. viruses I noticed that Dick Tracy is getting into computer viruses. The strip, which has run for years (and which was pulled by several papers years ago because of its violence and sleazy characters), is currently dealing with Tracy's fight against some bum who has infected the police department's machines. The strip seems to ignore the fact that mainframe computers have numerous offline and human controls that would make such an event extremely unlikely. As such, it is spreading disinformation. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 89 11:49 EST From: "J. D. Abolins" Subject: Viruses & Media Inaccuracy Relative lack of familiarity with computers is not the only reason for innacuray in media virus reporting. Among other factors, there is the notion that the readers/viewers would not understand the details or would have little interst if the complexities were proper;y explained. It is not only the media that takes this view. I have talked with computer security professionals who believe that it is better to blur the destinction between the classic viruses and other problem programs than to risk confusing the public. Another factor is the problem of type/time fitting. If a reporter has only 1000 words or three minutes of air time to report a virus case, it encourages the reporter to cut out details and paint everything with a large brushstroke. (I have gone through this fitting problem recently when I was asked to write a virus article for a NJ State Govt. MIS newsletter. If it's hard for someone who is aware of the complexities, how much harder it is for someone who is baffled by the complexities.) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 89 13:19:43 EST From: Arthur Gutowski Subject: Request for IBM PC Anti-virals I'm fairly new to this list, and I have seen this question crop up in past digests, but I'll go ahead and ask it again anyway... Here at Wayne State, our Computing Center has recently become actively involved in fighting viri on a large scale. We formed a small group on campus primarily responsible for disinfecting campus machines (both Macs and IBMs), making available PD and Shareware anti-virals to the university public, and educating people in preventative medicine. We are just getting off the ground, so I was hoping someone could help me out with this. I am looking for *any* IBM PC anti-virals in addition to what's on the Virus-l filelist at Lehigh. I have already gathered what's out there (at Lehigh) as a start, and I have also looked at the SCFVM's PUBLIC list (most of what's there seems to be Macintosh vaccines). I have heard mention of some other disinfectors/prevention mechanisms in addition to what's on virus-l (including HDSENTRY, DEBRAIN, and Vaccine.com) and some newer releases (FSP 1.51 and CHECKUP 2.1). Any other reliable disinfectors/checkers/etc. (PD, Shareware, or commercial) are welcome and appreciated. I would be very appreciative if you could give me any sources to look into, where can I get some programs, or if you have copies of any programs if it is possible to send them to me via my Bitnet address. Please send responses, etc. directly to me. Thanks in advance... Art PS> Thanks for your help and advice, Ken. - -=AGUTOWS@WAYNEST1.BITNET ~This TIME-SpacE ConTINuuM is FluuctuatING AGAin~=- ------------------------------ End of VIRUS-L Digest ********************* Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253