Viruses

[Robert Rasmussen]

These statements all sound logical to me as a programmer, and are in synch
with my understanding of viruses.


On Mon, 20 Apr 1998, Chuck Bearden wrote:

> Somebody please (please please!) correct me if I'm wrong, but I've been 
> lead to believe the following about virus propagation:
> 
> 1)  Boot sector viruses can't spread unless someone runs the executable
> code in the boot sector by trying to boot from the disk in question
> (whether or not it is bootable doesn't matter);  
> 
> 2)  .exe and .com viruses can't spread unless someone runs the
> infected executable code;
> 
> 3)  Macro viruses can't spread unless someone opens a Word/Excel/etc.
> file with a malicious macro in it, and runs the macro.  
> 
> Note that if 1) is true, one can't get a boot sector virus simply by
> reading files from an infected floppy.  Boot sector code isn't
> executed unless one actually tries to boot (I think).  
> 
> 
> Am I wrong about any of these?  
> 
> If all the above propositions are correct, then an initially clean 
> machine that has boot-to-floppy disabled, and that won't let users 
> install or execute code they bring in, and that won't run document 
> macros, is invulnerable to these three types of viruses.  
> 
> Chuck Bearden
> Network Services Librarian
> Houston Public Library
> Houston, TX  77002
> 713/247-2264 (voice)
> 713/247-1182 (fax)
> cbearden at hpl.lib.tx.us
> 

Regards,
....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.

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