a-17.ciac-wdef-virus
84f3dbd670c32238954ec3fc9c916473820b71f09c1d0273ad997d60701651aa
FOR OFFICIAL DOE USE ONLY
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THE COMPUTER INCIDENT ADVISORY CAPABILITY
CIAC
INFORMATION BULLETIN
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Eradicating WDEF using Disinfectant 1.5 or 1.6
February 2, 1990, 1400 PST Number A-17
CIAC Information Bulletin A-9 reported the existence of the WDEF virus on
Macintosh computers. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide additional
information about eradicating this virus.
Disinfectant 1.5 and the most recent version, Disinfectant 1.6, are capable
of detecting and eradicating WDEF, but are not designed to prevent the
spread of WDEF during its execution. If an infected disk is inserted into
the Macintosh while Disinfectant is running (for the purposes of eradicating
WDEF), WDEF will infect ANY OTHER UNLOCKED MOUNTED VOLUMES. If Disinfectant
is to be used to eradicate a WDEF infection, CIAC recommends the following
procedure:
1. Prepare a system disk using LOCKED originals. Use the
instructions provided with the Macintosh documentation if you require
assistance in preparing this system disk. If possible, you should not use
your hard disk to prepare this system disk. Copy Disinfectant version 1.5
or version 1.6 to this disk. Lock the disk and shut down the system.
2. Reboot the Macintosh using the prepared system disk. Launch
Disinfectant off the floppy and use the SCAN function to check your hard disk
for the WDEF virus. If found, use the DISINFECT function to remove WDEF from
your hard disk. Quit Disinfectant.
3. Reboot the Macintosh using this prepared system disk. You should
drag any hard disks that automatically appear on the desktop to trash to
unmount them. Launch the copy of Disinfectant on the system disk. Use the
SCAN facility of Disinfectant to verify that WDEF has not infected the system
disk. If it has, you will have to eject the system disk, unlock it, and
insert it again. Use the DISINFECT function of Disinfectant to eradicate
WDEF. Next, you should eject the system disk and lock it again. Reinsert
the system disk.
4. Use Disinfectant to scan ALL of your floppy disks. WDEF will
infect both system and non-system disks; to completely eradicate WDEF you
will have to disinfect all of your disks (including backup disks). DO NOT
USE YOUR HARD DRIVE DURING THIS PROCEDURE.
5. Once all of your floppy disks are disinfected, reboot your system
using the locked system disk. Now run Disinfectant and disinfect your hard
disk. Once WDEF has been eradicated from all floppies and your hard disk, the
eradication procedure is complete.
The most recent versions of other tools such as SAM, VIREX, GATEKEEPER, and
GATEKEEPER AID may also be used to eradicate or prevent the spread of the
WDEF virus. If you have questions concerning these tools, contact CIAC for
assistance.
For further information, or for a copy of Disinfectant 1.6, please contact
CIAC:
Tom Longstaff
(415) 423-4416 or (FTS) 543-4416
FAX: (FTS) 543-0913 or (415) 294-5054
CIAC's business hours phone number is (415) 422-8193 or (FTS) 532-8193.
Send e-mail to:
ciac@tiger.llnl.gov
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nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or implied,
or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy,
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disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately
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otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or the
University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed
herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States
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