-Sircware Virus Protector v1.01Written by Chris Brookes in GFA Basic V3: 10/6/1992
o Introduction
After many years of being hounded by the GHOST VIRUS, I finally
sat
down and started to play around with the thing, trying to figure out
how
it worked and generally 'suss it out'.
I did. The result is
now
protection from this virus whilst my program is installed.
It's surprising how simple the theory behind this program really
is,
and it's a wonder we haven't seen programs which do the same thing
before
now. Think of it as a vaccination, similar to immunising a disk with
the
Ultimate Virus Killer (or any other for that matter). You get a
small
dose of the virus, perhaps four of five bytes, but not enough for
the
virus to function at all.
The computer is then protected from
further
infection from that virus. Naturally, this isn't for ever, and it
only
lasts until a HARD reset is done.
This means that by using soft
resets
you should be able to get through the day with only one installation
of
the program. After you have installed this program, boot from ANY
disk
infected with the GHOST VIRUS, and the virus WILL NOT install it's
self
into your computer!
o Instruction's for use
This program is aimed to be as versatile as possible and so it can
be
used in a number of ways which different users will find useful.
Firstly, it can be used as a simple program that is double clicked
on
from the desktop in the normal fashion.
Used in this way, it will
make
full use of GEM and use alert boxes for all it's operations.
Secondly, it will also function perfectly well as a desktop acces
sory. To use it this way, all you have to do, is to rename the file
as
SIRCWARE.ACC, and then copy the file onto the root directory of your
disk.
The root directory just means it is NOT in any other folder at all.
After
you have copied the file, just re-boot your system. At the desktop,
just
select the 'Desk' and you should have S-Protector in the menu bar.
Select
this, and then it functions in exactly the same way as used from
the
desktop.
The final way is perhaps the most useful of all the methods of
use.
Just put it into the AUTO folder of your disk, and then it will
be
automatically loaded into your computer and installed. This is
especially
useful for hard drive owners who just stick it into their AUTO folders
and
forget about the thing!
Seeing as this is automatically INSTALLED
on
booting, to NOT install it, you just have to switch your system on
and
hold down the RIGHT shift key and you should get a message saying
that
Sircware Protector 1.0 is NOT installed.
If the Protector is
installed
already, then NOT installing it will cause it to be DEINSTALLED.(I
mention this because used with Gem, you get an option to de- install it)
Once loaded, just follow the on screen instructions. They are
quite
simple and don't really need any explanation.
The only thing to
know
about when used as an AUTO folder program, is that holding RIGHT shift
key
whilst loading disables it.
o Kills the virus also!
Not only does this utility protect you from the virus, should
you
boot it up and you are already infected, the Virus will be erased
from
memory. This happens automatically whether or not you want to
be
protected.
o Thanks go to these people (some of who's machines I tested this on):
-Andrew Frodsham (Sorry for not including your name last time!)-Vincent Haworth (How's work, and where's your upgrade?!)-Steven Brett (Where would I be if you didn't have spare ST!?)-Gary Howarth (Have I got your's and Vin's name right or what?)-Philip Rodgers (You must of been in Scotland for ages now... thank
god!)
o Distribution details
Okay, it's about time I got onto the technical bits now.
This
program is distributed as SHAREWARE, and is NOT public domain.
Basically,
this means that I retain full copyright to this program, and you may
not
alter in any way at all. If so much as 1 character of text is
altered,
the program refuses to work -Try it if you want -I won't be
held
responsible for any damage that occurs to a connected hard drive.
However,
you ARE allowed to copy this program to WHOEVER you want, on the
condition
that you copy the whole folder ( S_PROTEC ) and ALL of the
associated
files. At present these are: SIRCWARE.PRG (or .ACC) & SIRCWARE.DOC.
This system is similar to PD, with the exception that you are
under an obligation to register. If you like it, and want to keep and
use
it, then register, if not just delete it and forget you ever had it.
I
SUGGEST a donation of 5 English pounds œ5 (If you think it is worth
more,
then DO please send whatever you want).
In return for your
registration
(and time and effort) you will be sent the next upgrade (v1.02)
absolutely
FREE, which will protect against 1 more common ST Virus. You will
also
get a personalized version, saying that you have registered.
Payment
doesn't have to be in the form of money, it can be something up-to
that
value, for instance 10 blank disks, 5 disks full of PD/Shareware
software,
or maybe a registered version of one of your shareware titles?
I'll
accept anything to the value of œ5 really... in fact Panasonic KXP
1123
printer ribbons spring to mind, as does a nice pile of tractor feed
paper.
I may even register you if you
you
never know (but I doubt it).
write
a
long complimentary letter -
-Please Support this method of distribution... it's in YOUR interestPlease send any correspondence to:
Chris Brookes
111 Armadale Road
Dukinfield
Cheshire
SK16 5AG
ENGLND
Should you wish to register and pay
it
payable to to C.G.Brookes. Thanks.
by
cheque,
then please make
o Legal bits...
_________________________________________________________________________
_
This software (Program/product/goods) is supplied in the belief that
it
operates as specified. I, Chris Brookes, the author, shall not be
liable
in any circumstance whatsoever for any direct or indirect loss or
damage
to property incurred of suffered by the customer/user or any other
person
as a result of any fault or defect in the software
(Program/product/goods)
supplied by myself and in no circumstances shall I, Chris Brookes,
the
author,
be liable against consequential damage or loss of
profits
(whether or not the possibility thereof was separately advised to it
or
reasonably forseeable) arising from the use/performance or inability
to
use
this software (Program/product/goods).
In using this
software
(program/product/goods) the user accepts FULL responsibility, and
should
be aware of this fact.
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
ÿ
To the average beanhead, this means
protected
that
if
you think you are
from every virus under the sun, don't bother checking for viruses,
and
your 100 MEG hard drive suddenly goes for a crap, there is absolutely
NO
CHANCE of pinning it on me. Be aware of this fact when using my
program.
o Finally...
Remember that protection lasts until a HARD reset is done.
Oh,
and the thing about messing with a connected hard drive if you mess
with
the text in this program... it was a joke... I wouldn't dream of
touching
your hard drive, simply because the program may innocently get
corrupted
on it's path around the world. It does however refuse to work, should
any
TEXT be altered. So, after you've copied it, make sure it works.
Seeing as this program operates
under
a fairly simple concept,
I
wouldn't be surprised to see many other programs come out that do the
same
thing, and possibly better, but remember one thing... You saw it done
by
CHRIS BROOKES first!
Remember... ' If there's a way, there's a will '