BHP Virus Info (C)opyright 1992 Micro-Bytes By Craig Ernster IMPORTANT!!: This file is being uploaded to GEnie as a service to all Commodore 64/128 users. Although it's in the Libraries, it is STILL copyright 1992 Micro-Bytes and Craig Ernster. Feel free to distribute it where necessary but you must leave this information intact and unmodified. Micro-Bytes * 2648 S Kenilworth * Berwyn IL 60402-2549 USA Send SASE to above address for subscription information. With all the recent hype over the Michelangelo virus in the IBM world, some may feel it's simply not possible for a virus to exist on the 64. However there is one. A German user group named Bayerischen HackerPost (BHP) has developed a virus for the 64. It is NOT fatal but is a nuisance. It comes in the form of an 8-block program which is perfectly harmless until RUN. Once RUN, you'll get the message: FATAL ERROR IN 1986. If you LIST the program, you'll get a single line with a PRINT command, which PRINTs the above message. When BHP is installed in your computer it will spread itself to any program LOADed or SAVEd afterwards. Also, it will manipulate the directory so files will show the same length. If you add the blocks used by the files on an infected disk, however, they won't add up. If you LOAD and LIST an infected program you'll see the following line: 1986 SYS PEEK(43)+PEEK(44)*256+48:VIRUS When you RUN such an infected program the virus will install and activate itself. The main part of the virus can be found beneath the I/O area from $D000. The virus IS reset and RUN STOP/RESTORE proof. The German 64 periodical _64'er_ has created an anti-virus program which is available both compiled and uncompiled. These programs can be found in many PD collections. If you want more info on the programs, please contact us (either at our US mail address or at PAUL-MB online.) I check all of my disks now, since everything from the 1541 to RAMDrive and HDs are vulnerable. So, always take the time to check your disks - not just the directory - for a virus or bad files. Also, validate your disk along with a disk checker program, or a good physical inspection.