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Computer
Viruses and "False Authority Syndrome"
Virus pseudo-experts
I ONCE LECTURED
about viruses to a small group of businessmen in 1991. A network administrator
stood up at one point and proclaimed his company (a law firm) would literally
close its doors for good "if a destructive virus of any type
gets on our system." They would sell the office equipment; the secretaries
would find new jobs; the lawyers would take their filing cabinets to other
firms. The company would fold if even one destructive virus infiltrated
their network.
Shocked by his statement
(and trying to regain control of the lecture), I asked what would happen
if fire swept through the firm's building. No sweat: they kept backups
off-site and had purchased contingency contracts for just such emergencies.
I responded, "Well, there you go. If a virus ever gets on your computers,
burn your building to the ground and your problem is solved!"
The audience laughed
-- but I fumed. I would fire this man on the spot if he worked for
my company! I don't want anyone on my payroll who would instantly put everyone
out of work due to his own pompous ignorance.
Sadly, ignorant network
administrators all too often perpetuate myths about the dangers posed by
computer viruses. Ken Hall, a manager at Georgia Tech's Financial Data Technology
Office, wrote a typical story for Atlanta Computer Currents
magazine in response to the Michelangelo scare of 1992. Hall's seventh paragraph
touts a common myth: "Traditionally, viruses have infected computers
that have downloaded programs form [sic] dial-up bulletin boards."
Experts have worked for years to squelch this myth and others, but pseudo-experts
like Hall greatly outnumber them.
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