🚀 go-pugleaf

Disclaimer:  This is _NOT_ a flame...

As I said in the note you quoted, viruses are easy to write -- just think 
about it for a minute and you've probably got it right.  There, big deal 
you know how to write a virus... 
...gellignite is about as easy, but you don't go posting recipes for it do you?
[but they did tell you how to make it in The Terminator, right?]

Also, I didn't say "don't post anti-viruses or anti-virus sources", just don't
give people inclined to write viruses a head-start.

It is interesting to note that most of the viruses currently making Macintoshes
sick are direct rip-offs of either the Brandow or Urlichs strains.  Amazing
what you can do with a half-way decent disassembler, no?  But lets not make it
any easier than it has to be, OK?

In fact another _great_ reason not to post the sources (or binaries) to viruses 
is that they get out very easily.  And, once they're out,.. well.. 
you get the idea.

What has to happen is a general change of attitude about computers and 
information and their roles as property (intellectual or otherwise).  
I make my living with my MacintoshII, I develop software, I am also (in
my copious spare time :-) a consultant, and I depend on this machine, and the 
information contain within it.  Mr. Brandow and his ilk seriously threaten my 
living by letting these electronic bio-hazards out into the world where they 
threaten my Macintosh, my clients confidence in my software and the consumers 
confidence in commercial software.  (Case in point: Aldus' Freehand)

Unfortunately most people (suprisingly, even "well educated computer
professionals") don't take this stuff seriously enough.  Some people think this
stuff is "cute" or "harmless".  Viruses, trojans, and kids breaking into NASA's 
computers et al, are neither "cute" nor "harmless".  

Just listen to NPR, Charles Osgood's "The Osgood File" (CBS Radio), or read 
some of the discussions on CompuServe, and you'll see how lightly 
people take these things... they even tend to make Brandow and company out to 
be crusading good-guys who have done a public service by spreading a virus
and bringing people's attention to them (and put down people like me, Don Brown
and others who contend that people like Brandow are criminals.)!

Until there are severe penalties for electronic terrorism, this will continue
unabated.  Programs like Donald Brown's "Vaccine" will stop simple-minded
viruses, but there will be more, "better engineered", and smarter viruses.



Sorry if this seems a bit "heavy" I didn't intend it to be... but someone's
gotta say these things....  :-)



			David


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David HM Spector				New York University
Senior Systems Programmer			Graduate School of Business
Arpa: SPECTOR@GBA.NYU.EDU			Academic Computing Center
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MCIMail: DSpector				New York, New York 10006
AppleLink: D1161     CompuServe: 71260,1410     (212) 285-6080
"SJM 25, 'real nice guy' seeks SJF...  What? This ISN'T The Voice personals?!"