Scores (computer virus)
| Common name | Scores |
|---|---|
| Technical name | Scores |
| Aliases | Eric Vult NASA San Jose Flu |
| Family | Unknown |
| Classification | Virus |
| Type | Macintosh |
| Subtype | Categorisation needed. |
| Isolation | Spring 1988 |
| Point of isolation | Unknown |
| Point of origin | Unknown |
| Author(s) | Unknown |
Scores was a computer virus affecting Macintosh machines. It was first discovered in Spring 1988. It was written by a disgruntled programmer and specifically attacks two applications that were under development at his former company. These programs were never released to the public.
Scores infects the System, Notepad, and Scrapbook files under System 6 and System 7. There is a simple way to identify infection. Normal Notepad and Scrapbook icons will have specific icons under System 7, or little Macintosh icons under System 6. If the icons are blank document icons, it is a good indication the system is infected.
Scores begins to spread to other applications two days after infection. The Finder and DA Handler often become infected as well.
Scores was not designed to do anything besides spread itself and attack the two specific applications. However, there is a serious conflict between the virus and System 6.0.4 or above, where Apple began using resources of the same type that Scores uses. In these cases the system files will be damaged.
The alleged author of the virus was questioned by the FBI soon after the virus was discovered. There were no federal laws with which to charge the author, so they remain free to this day. This loophole resulted in the "Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1988".
References
- Norstad, John. The Viruses. Disinfectant 3.7.1 ©1988-1997 Northwestern University.
