Date   : Wed, 21 Aug 1985 16:35:00 PDT
From   : nep.pgelhausen@AMES-VMSB.ARPA
Subject: --- worms ---

Re: the "Arf! Arf!" article recently posted.

At least two things may be done to reduce the possibility of damabe
caused by BBS distributed worms.

1) cleared and un-cleared programs should be in seperate directories,
   such that the downloader knows that he is taking a risk selecting
   a program from the set of un-cleared files (for directories, read
   user area in CP/M....alternately the file type (extension) could
   be used to serve a similar purpose...)

2) when testing recently aquired software, use a non-essential diskette.
   if you have an external hard disk, disconnect it.  If you have
   an internal hard disk....you're on your own....I don't know (offhand)
   of any way to disallow access to an internal hard disk drive...although
   some enterprising BIOS hacker could possibly find a way.....

               -Richard Hartman
               max.hartman@ames-vmsb

P.S.:  Note that the use of the term "hacker" above is meant in the
       older, more acceptable sense....not the more recently aquired
       derogatory meaning that the media have been promoting.
                       -rmh