-Caveat Lector- Computer Student Wrote Chernobyl Virus to Humiliate Antivirus Providers AP 30-APR-99 TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- The author of the Chernobyl computer virus told investigators that he created the bug hoping to humiliate and take revenge on what he called incompetent antivirus software providers, police said today. But he admitted he didn't expect it to cause worldwide damage, a police statement said. Chen Ing-hau, 24, looked nervous and was speechless when he was mobbed by reporters after being summoned for police questioning on his involvement in a case that caused at least 600,000 computer meltdowns. The Chernobyl virus -- known in Taiwan as the CIH, for Chen's initials -- had even pressed the Chinese People's Liberation Army to study antivirus programs to prevent it from invading its computers, the police statement said. Chen created the virus last April when he was still a student of computer engineering at the Institute of Technology. Chen has since graduated and has been undergoing Taiwan's mandatory two-year military service. Chen had spent long hours playing computer games since entering college and was a frequent victim of computer viruses when downloading video games and other software from the Internet, the police statement said. "He said he created the highly vicious virus that could avoid detection by available antivirus programs in order to make a fool of the software providers, from whom he had bought antivirus programs that proved useless," the statement said. "He did not expect the virus to cause such a great impact. He regretted his deeds and apologize to all its victims." The unusually destructive virus -- timed to strike on April 26, the 13th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster -- tries to erase a computer's hard drive and write gibberish into its system settings to prevent the machine from being restarted. Under Taiwanese law, someone convicted of spreading computer viruses can face up to three years in prison. Police did not say whether Chen will be charged. Computer experts said Chen might not be charged because he did not intend to spread the virus. But they said Chen might face lawsuits seeking millions of dollars of damage compensation. Copyright 1999& The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ================================= Robert F. Tatman [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remove "nospam" from the address to reply. NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml POSTING THIS MESSAGE TO THE INTERNET DOES NOT IMPLY PERMISSION TO SEND UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL E-MAIL (SPAM) TO THIS OR ANY OTHER INTERNET ADDRESS. RECEIPT OF SPAM WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF THE SENDER'S ISP. ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
