INTRO1.CVP 910701 rev. 911102 Introduction to Computer Viral Programs Column This file/posting/column, and the ones which will follow, are a weekly column devoted to explaining computer viral type programs. The material can be roughly divided into the following topic areas: Introduction (this file), History, Functions, Protection and Implications. The file names will reflect this division, beginning with DEF, HIS, FUN, PRT or IMP, continuing with a further three letter subcategory, as appropriate, a sequence number, and all ending with CVP. The format is intended to be as easy as possible for all mail systems and terminals to handle. Each "column" will be approximately one typewritten page in length. The material is intended to be "non system specific", and to be applicable to all type of computer and operating systems. Examples will be given from many different computers and operating systems at different times. Readers will note, however, that much of the material relates to the MS-DOS "world": IBM compatible microcomputers. This is deliberately chosen. The "PC" platform demonstrates the concepts that are common to all computer systems in the clearest manner. I retain copyright of this material. Anyone is free to post any of this material on any publicly accessible electronic bulletin board or electronic mail system which does not charge for connect time or data transfer, provided that the files/postings are posted intact, including my copyright notice, the filename and date at the beginning and end and my contact addresses. Anyone wishing to post this material on a commercial system, or to print it in a book or periodical, please contact me, and I'm sure we can work something out. I am sure that the material will be archived at various servers, but the one place that I can guarantee the complete set will be available is on the Cyberstore information system. This is a commercial system, but is accessible through a local call to a Datapac or Tymnet node for most people in Canada and the United States, or indeed for anyone with an X.25/X.75 network. Vancouver Usenet: p1@arkham.wimsey.bc.ca Institute for Internet: Robert_Slade@mtsg.sfu.ca Research into Cyberstore:Datapac [3020] 8350 1030 User Snailnet: Canada V7K 2G6 Security Fidonet: 1:153/915 copyright Robert M. Slade, 1991 INTRO1.CVP 910701 rev. 911102