Virus Attack!

[webb at webb.applicon.UUCP]

  There has been a lot of press recently about the latest virus to hit the
UNIX world.  The research lab here was hit, and so were a great many 
universities and labs around the country.  As a result, our internal network
has been shut down, and we have sealed ourselves off from the outside world.
Though this situation will certainly be only temporary, I wonder if this marks
the beginning of the end of the vast, loose networks that are so prevalent 
today.  With no way to assign blame or responsiblity to the pranksters who
build these viruses, I would be suprised if some companies thought twice 
before agreeing to connect to a network, considering the potential risk.
The benefits offered by USENET are so hard to define concretely, but the
risk of a virus is very real, and a manager asked to choose between them 
might justifiably decide not to take the risk.  
  There has been no official announcement from our management yet, so I have
nothing to report, but I would like to hear what is going on at other sites.
Anyone thinking of dropping off the net?



				Peter Webb.

{allegra|decvax|harvard|yale|mirror}!ima!applicon!webb, 
{mit-eddie|raybed2|spar|ulowell|sun}!applicon!webb, webb at applicon.com