Viruses & Worms

FREE!

The VirusWarn announcement list is a free service that provides timely, accurate information about documented computer viruses and Internet worms.

Background

The first widely recognized computer virus appeared in 1990. Dubbed "Michaelangelo," it was a variant of the less well known but equally destructive "Stoned" virus. During that year, we encountered both viruses in a variety of places. One major infection was on our own computer.

These early computer viruses spread from one machine to another by hiding themselves on diskettes. While they still exist, these viruses have since been eclipsed by macro and script viruses. These new viruses spread through electronic mail and Web servers and need no physical contact with another machine.

Because these new viruses spread so fast and can affect everyone, quick action is required to contain them. To make matters worse, we must also combat false rumors about viruses that exist only in some writer's imagination.

We have always done our best to notify our clients of new, documented threats. Until now, this effort consumed valuable, non-billable time. The VirusWarn announcement list is the combined effort of several professionals. Through it, we can reach more interested parties at a minimum of time and expense.

What Is It?

The VirusWarn announcement list is the brain-child of Lee Drake, founder of OS-Cubed, Inc. of Rochester, New York. Lee is a well respected developer with thorough technical knowledge and a good customer focus.

Lee enlisted the expertise of David Gray, MBA of WizardWrx and Brett Rabideau of Periwinkle Communications LLC of West Haven, Connecticut to maintain the list.

Together, we bring over fifty years of computer experience and expertise to this endeavor.

How Does it Work?

Simply register at Lee Drake's personal Web site (See below); enter only your name and the E-Mail address where you want the notices sent. Use an address that you check constantly, so you will receive the notices quickly.

From then on, you will receive timely notices of viruses that have been confirmed by at least two sources or by US-CERT, an agency operated by Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The notices will be written in every day English. When possible, accurate information about how to remove or stop the virus will be included.

We do not post notices about unconfirmed viruses, worms, denial of service attacks, hacks, etc. If you hear about a worm or virus, we strongly encourage you to wait for us to post a VirusWarn notice before you take action or spread the rumor. This courtesy will reduce unnecessary Internet mail traffic and fear.

We are as serious about protecting your privacy and other assets as we are about protecting our own. This FREE service is intended to save the good guys and foil the bad guys. Nothing can prevent the bad guys from attempting to spread havoc, but together we can make an impact on their success.

DISCLAIMER: We are not responsible for those few people who misuse the service, nor for the content provided by outside sources, though we do our best to verify the information before posting it. Use the information at your own risk.

Happy, safe computing!

Please click here to subscribe to the service. It's free.

Please click here if you prefer the RSS news feed.

Please note: As of 20 September 2005, these links were revised to point to our new VirusWarn Web site. If you have bookmarks to either of the above two pages, please update them now. The other links will probably disappear soon.

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