H: Other Virus Killers
PART III
THE ULTIMATE VIRUS KILLER BOOK APPENDICES
H - OTHER VIRUS KILLER PROGRAMS
Of course, there are other virus killer programs for Atari
computers as well. In this appendix, some of the more popular
virus killers will be summed up. This list, however, is by no
means complete and you're encouraged to send in virus killers for
inclusion in updates of this appendix, especially if they're
fairly recent.
The 'current version' was the one when this went to print. When
known, it also specifies the release date. Possible update
version numbers may be found in the "READ_ME.TXT" file on the
"Ultimate Virus Killer" disk.
- ABC -----------------------------------------------------------
This is no actual virus killer, but a GEM-driven program that
uses the same principle as the one explained in "The Book"
(chapter 6.2.6.2) to rename your executable files to other
extensions and adapt the DESKTOP.INF file accordingly.
Program type: Shareware (25 German Marks).
Written by: Gero Zahn.
Language: German.
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: No.
Current version: 2.5.
- ANTIDOTE ------------------------------------------------------
A relatively recent addition to the virus killer front, and very
compact. A nice, fast and effective program indeed. Keyboard
shortcuts galore. Its author is the creator of the slogan I envy
a lot: "Practise Safe Hex - Use Antidote!". During autumn 1994,
the source code got trashed and there is a rumour that the
program will return in a C version (instead of, previously, one
written in "GfA Basic").
Program type: Shareware.
Written by: Kai Holst and Geir Øyvind Vaelidalo (Kai Holst, P.O.
Box 5061, Larsgarden, N-6021, Alesund, Norway).
Language: English (thank God it doesn't use Norwegian!).
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 3.7 (autumn 1994).
- POISON! -------------------------------------------------------
A German virus killer built on the remains of its predecessor
"Security Kit". A GEM-driven and well-designed virus killing tool
that works as an accessory (including resident checking) or as
program file. It retails at DM 59,- including a year of free
updates. Additional update support costs DM 30,- per year. This
seems no longer to be supported.
Program type: Commercial.
Written by: Bernhard Artz.
Sold by: Delta Labs Software.
Email address (author): bernhard_artz@w.maus.de.
Language: German.
Can restore bootsectors: Yes.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 2.32 (September 25th 1994).
- PROFESSIONAL VIRUS KILLER -------------------------------------
An extensive virus killer, unfortunately copy-protected. It used
to be "Super Virus Killer", Public Domain, written by Mike Mee.
For a while it seemed as if Chris Brookes would be taking over
development to make it into "Professional Virus Killer" version
3, but this never actually happened.
Program type: Commercial.
Written by: Chris Brookes.
Sold by: The Floppyshop, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Language: English.
Can restore bootsectors: Yes.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 2 (1990).
- SAGROTAN ------------------------------------------------------
A GEM-controlled German virus killer, that also checked file
starts by comparing them with an included library of possible
programs. The package also included a hard disk lock accessory.
The program is no longer supported by the author, as he started
developing a commercial virus killer, "Toxis!" (Cf.).
The program is partly supported now by the Norwegian Stein A.
Jensen, who also did an English translation (which is, however,
of version 4.14!).
Program type: Public Domain.
Written by: Henrik Alt, Kirgelweg 25, D-7160 Gaildorf, West
Germany. English translation and support: Stein A. Jensen, STUG
Norway, N-3630 Rødberg, Norway.
Language: German.
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 4.17 (May 1990).
- SIRCWARE VIRUS KILLER PRO -------------------------------------
When Chris Brookes eventually didn't do "Professional Virus
Killer" version 3 (Cf.), instead he made "Sircware Virus Killer
Pro". Rather compact but with a user interface not quite up to
date with modern system requirements. Also, it seems no longer to
be supported.
Program type: Shareware.
Written by: Chris Brookes.
Language: English.
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 0.11 (July 28th 1994).
- TOXIS! --------------------------------------------------------
A reincarnation of the highly successful Public Domain virus
killer "Sagrotan" (Cf.), published commercially by "KonTRAST" in
Germany. Although the user interface has been overhauled in
comparison to its predecessor, the recognition statistics have
not increased at all.
Program type: Commercial.
Written by: Henrik Alt.
Sold by: KonTRAST.
Language: German.
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 5.00 (August 15th 1992). Rumours mention
version 5.5.
- VIRENDETECTOR -------------------------------------------------
Another fairly recent addition to the virus killer scala, that
was getting especially very popular in Germany. It was
excellently written with use of different text styles and a
totally custom user interface, a GEM kind of thing that Germans
just lllluuurrve. It also supported higher TT resolutions,
compressed file formats, and a lot more.
Program type: Public Domain/Shareware.
Written by: Volker Söhnitz, Schillerstr. 22, D-4053 Jüchen 2,
West Germany.
Language: German.
Can restore bootsectors: Yes.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 3.1l (March 11th 1993).
- VIRENTOD ------------------------------------------------------
Another German virus killer with, at the time, impressive
statistics. It was mouse-controlled using a custom user
interface. Package also included a resident vector report
program. Used to be called "Antibiotikum" before it became
commercial.
Program type: Commercial.
Written by: Carsten Frischkorn.
Sold by: Galactic, West Germany.
Language: German.
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 1.8 (1989).
- VIRUS FIXER ---------------------------------------------------
Very user-friendly virus killer. Mouse controlled using an own
user-interface. Very fast and effective. Discontinued.
Program type: Commercial.
Written by: Robert Heessels and Frank Lemmen.
Sold by: STRIKE-a-LIGHT, Holland.
Language: Dutch.
Can restore bootsectors: Yes.
Can detect link viruses: Yes.
Current version: 1.04 (1989).
- VKILL ---------------------------------------------------------
Used to be the best Public Domain virus killing utility. It was
mouse-controlled using an own user interface which was very user-
friendly. Package included several other useful tools for killing
and detecting viruses. This was probably the industry standard
Public Domain virus killer.
Program type: Public Domain.
Written by: George Woodside, 1590 Lombardy Road, Gardnerville,
NV 89410, United States of America.
Email address: 76537.1342@compuserve.com.
Language: English.
Can restore bootsectors: No.
Can detect link viruses: No.
Current version: 3.84 (April 1991).
