OFF: Old Virus Warning

[Johan Edlundh]

please be careful out there,
rumours say this killer virus from '88 is on the loose again.

(please don't panic in Europe, we're safe as we're using 50Hz AC)

\\joe



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        Date: 11-31-88 (24:60)  Number: 32769
        To: ALL Refer#: NONE
        From: ROBERT MORRIS III Read: (N/A)
        Subj: VIRUS ALERT       Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE

        Warning: There's a new virus on the loose that's worse than
        anything I've seen before! It gets in through the power line,
        riding on the powerline 60 Hz subcarrier. It works by changing the
        serial port pinouts, and by reversing the direction one's disks
        spin. Over 300,000 systems have been hit by it here in Murphy,
        West Dakota alone! And that's just in the last 12 minutes.

        It attacks DOS, Unix, TOPS-20, Apple-II, VMS, MVS, Multics, Mac,
        RSX-11, ITS, TRS-80, and VHS systems.

        To prevent the spresd of the worm:

        1) Don't use the powerline.
        2) Don't use batteries either, since there are rumors that this
          virus has invaded most major battery plants and is infecting the
          positive poles of the batteries. (You might try hooking up just
          the negative pole.)
        3) Don't upload or download files.
        4) Don't store files on floppy disks or hard disks.
        5) Don't read messages. Not even this one!
        6) Don't use serial ports, modems, or phone lines.
        7) Don't use keyboards, screens, or printers.
        8) Don't use switches, CPUs, memories, microprocessors, or
          mainframes.
        9) Don't use electric lights, electric or gas heat or
          airconditioning, running water, writing, fire, clothing or the
          wheel.

        I'm sure if we are all careful to follow these 9 easy steps, this
        virus can be eradicated, and the precious electronic flui9ds of
        our computers can be kept pure.