|
|
Article: Viruses, worms, trojans, and bombs. (computer "infections")
- Article from:
- Popular Science
- Article date:
- September 1, 1989
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1989 Bonnier Corporation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Viruses, worms, trojans, and bombs
It sounds like the perfect appliance for a cramped London flat--a computer that turns into a washing machine. That's what turned up in the offices of British Telecom, where employees found that their computers were infected with a laundry-obsessed virus. Periodically, the machines would take time out from normal tasks and appear to transform themselves into front-loading washers. The virus produced pictures that made the screens look like spinning washtubs.
Not every virus is designed for laughs. In fact, many of the rogue programs are downright nasty. Less than a year ago, a programmer unleashed a massive attack on ...