Central Command Warns of Lethal Computer Virus on April 26, 2000.Business Editors, High-Tech Writers MEDINA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE) Central Command warns Windows users of the lethal Chernobyl virus that activates and destroys data on the 26th of April. Rapidly approaching April 26th, Central Command is issuing a virus alert to remind all Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. 95 and Windows 98 users to install antivirus protection to prevent an infection from the Chernobyl virus. On April 26th 1999 a variant of the Win95.CIH CIH Chartered Institute of Housing (UK) CIH Certified Industrial Hygienist (ABIH) CIH Constant Image Height CIH Camshaft in Head (engine) CIH Chen Ing-Hau "Chernobyl" virus, which originated in Taiwan, affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide upon its activation. It was reported that over 500,000 computers had data loss and severe computer damage. The Chernobyl virus will erase data and attempts to rewrite the information stored on the computers BIOS chip See BIOS. . This is a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) chip on the computer's motherboard that contains the software necessary to start your computer. The software on this chip is immediately executed when you turn on your computer and provides the low-level, direct access to your keyboard, video, and hard disk. It reads the configuration from the CMOS memory (1) A small, battery-backed memory bank in a computer that holds configuration settings. See BIOS setup. (2) Memory made of CMOS. See CMOS. and then loads the boot programs from your hard disk or floppy disk. If this BIOS software is damaged the computer will not start. "Last year we (Central Command) supported thousands of users who did not have antivirus software See antivirus program. (tool) antivirus software - Programs to detect and remove computer viruses. The simplest kind scans executable files and boot blocks for a list of known viruses. installed and were infected with the Chernobyl virus," said Keith Peer, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and President of Central Command Inc. Peer concluded, "The Chernobyl virus overwrites the contents of the 430TX BIOS compatible chip. If this virus activates its payload, the PC will not start or be unbootable, until the chip is reprogrammed or replaced." It was the first virus that Central Command saw destroy data on a global scale. The Chernobyl virus will not infect computers using Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000. A free fully functional time limited antivirus software evaluation is available from Central Command at www.avp.com that can successfully detect and remove the Chernobyl virus. About Central Command: Central Command Inc. is a privately held international company with headquarters in Medina, Ohio Medina [məˈdaɪnə] is a city in Medina County, Ohio, United States. The population was 25,139 at the 2000 census. The 2004 projected population was estimated at 28,536. , USA. Founded in 1990 the company specializes in anti-virus protection products and focuses on serving the industrial market place, government, financial, educational institutions and service industries. |
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