CIH 1.2 aka Chernobyl (4/26/Every Year)

CIH 1.2 aka Chernobyl (4/26/Every Year)

This question was answered on June 16, 1999. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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On the 13th anniversary of the devastating Chernobyl accident is the possibility of another virus outbreak in the PC world With the possibility to wipe out hard drives and halt programs, you'll want to make sure to learn what you can about this virus and download a program that will keep you safe!

What is this virus?

How dangerous is it?

What does the virus do?

How is the virus spread?

What is this virus?

It is a piece of software code that has been plaguing computers for months It's called a CIH or "space filler" virus It originated in Asia in the summer of '98 and wreaks havoc on the 26th of each month The version due to hit on Monday, April 26th, is version 1.2 and it's the "most prevalent and dangerous" form of the CIH virus, according to the president of Network Associates.

How dangerous is it?

Compared to the recently publicized yet relatively benign Melissa macro virus, this CIH virus can destroy data beyond any ability to retrieve it and make the machine completely inoperable

What does the virus do?

The CIH virus is a "space filler" virus which means it secretly fills up spaces in files and can effectively hide from anti-virus software before its expected date of arrival It hides by inserting its code into empty slots on utility software Basically it makes your programs a bit bigger in size and it has damaging code for later on when the target date hits But don't worry, most up-to-date anti-virus software will find this guy if you're infected.

How is the virus spread?

The same way most viruses are spread Email, pirated software, floppy disk exchange .You name it.

About the author

Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on June 16, 1999

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