The right time to check your computers for "Chernobyl" virus Cambridge, UK, April 20, 2000 - Kaspersky Labs Int., a fast-growing international anti-virus software development company, informs computer users that on April 26 a variation of the virus, deplorably known as "Chernobyl", activates its...
The right time to check your computers for "Chernobyl" virus
Cambridge, UK, April 20, 2000 - Kaspersky Lab Int., a fast-growing international anti-virus software development company, informs computer users that on April 26 a variation of the virus, deplorably known as "Chernobyl", activates its payload routines.
Also known as CIH and Spacefiller virus it was the world's first malicious code able to affect PC's hardware by corrupting the Flash BIOS micro chip. The virus first appeared in June 1998 and is still one of the most wide spread computer viruses in the world. Moreover, a variation of the virus (Win95.CIH.1003) was triggered for activation exactly on April 26 (the anniversary of the Chernobyl meltdown). On this day the virus destroys data on all hard drives installed on infected PC and attempts to corrupt the Flash BIOS micro chip.
In June 1998 Kaspersky Lab was the first to develop genuinely effective protection against "Chernobyl" virus including neutralizing it in the computer's memory.
Last year on April 26th thousands PCs all over the world were damaged by this virus causing huge financial losses. The only good thing was that together with PCs the virus destroyed itself as well. However a number of "Chernobyl" copies are still "sleeping" on some removable storage devices, including CDs, floppies, ZIP drives etc. This means that there is still a danger of being affected by this virus.
"We don't expect that this year the catastrophe will be the same as it was a year ago. Moreover we are sure that the number of infections will be insignificant," said Eugene Kaspersky, Head of anti-virus research at Kaspersky Lab "However this doesn't mean that users can ignore virus prevention. We highly recommend that users meticulously check theircomputers to ascertain if the "Chernobyl" virus is there. Just because protection is better than cure. The only thing you have to bear in mind is that you should use a really good anti-virus, because not all of them are able to handle such complex and dangerous virus as "Chernobyl."
You can purchase fully functional version of AntiViral Toolkit Pro online via the Internet.
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab Ltd. is a fast growing international privately owned anti-virus software development company with offices in Moscow (Russia), Cambridge (UK) and Johannesburg (South Africa). Founded in 1997 the company concentrates its efforts on the development of world-leading anti-virus technologies and software. Kaspersky Lab also provides free online security related internet information services. The company markets, distributes and supports its software and services in more than 40 countries worldwide.
