Atari: MIDI - VIRUSES
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~ MIDI - VIRUSES ~
~ ATARI-ST by ATARI-ST ~
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~ Niagani Dekcus ~
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~ 21/12/90 Copyright of M.I.A/M.M.A ~
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~ For more infomation please contact ~
~ The International MIDI Association ~
~ Or MIDI Manufacturers Association ~
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~ THIS VERSION OF THE DOCUMENT IS ~
~ ONLY FOR USE WITH ATARI ST'S ~
~ ============================ ~
~ PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MAC'S ETC. ~
~ genie : virushunt 666. ~
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Be on the ALERT!
The presence of viruses in computers is a sad but common fact, so why did some silly fool decide to write a program (programs) which would effect all users of the MIDI protocol? We can not answer this but we can advise users ways to avoid data losses and system resets of there equipment.
The first Known Virus was found in Germany in 11/7/90 but its programer is still unknown!
This common virus is called the "FIRE VIRUS" reasons for its name shall be obvious, this virus spreads like Fire secondly it Flashes prompts on the computers monitor showing that it is Active!
Its obvious the programer had a warped sense of humor but no heart due to the results this virus shall do to your MIDI Studio, System, Etc.
The Fire Virus has a task to do and it does it without being noticed unless you are constantly looking at the monitor (in most cases no!) which is not part of being a Musician Etc, It first checks to see if any MIDI Data is coming in to the MIDI Ports and then if data is, it then looks for an active Thru Port by either hardware or software ( Atari ST'S use software ) then adds a series of bytes in the data "IF ALLOWED" to corrupt your Modules, Keyboards, Samplers, Time Code devices Etc.
We did state if allowed as some manufacturers have hardware protection so any changes to the data is entered into a edit buffer until saved if this is your choice?
But some manufacturers have an override system built in to be activated by software eg, Editors Libraians which allow data to be changed or received via MIDI then saved without any prompt warnings so updates can be quicker!
A good example of this type of unit is the Roland D110, MT32, D50, D10, D5, D20.
Kawi K1, K4 just about any unit which saves its data internally without needing to save to Roms or Disks so data is there on power up! So make sure you back up all important work its up to you!!!!
How does this VIRUS spread?
The two common Viruses ( The second is to be revealed soon ) can only be spread through computer software and not through MIDI equipment as reported by a Major Magazine in November 90' by a ill informed journalist who sent panic and our switchboard crazy!
Like all computer Viruses they spread fast but these ones were wrote with MIDI being its only destruction, So far we have found that these Viruses are Link Viruses and are not Bootsector Viruses so detection is hard and of course most times impossible to detect its presence until it causes some sort of corruption to data, To be safe follow normal procedures in avoidance against Viruses contact your local computer store they may give some valuable advice.
The other main problem and we can not advise you what to do is the Virus can link itself to a program which may have copy protection on it so there for your protected software may not ever work or maybe the virus should not be killed with a Virus Killing Program? Please consult the manufacture of your software if you think you have this problem!
At the present moment we have not found any Virus Killing Program either Commercial or PD release which can detect these viruses so again be warned.
Take care of your software and dont let any unwanted Viruses creep in........
The SCRAMBLE Virus
This is the second Virus which is currently spreading through out the world The SCRAMBLE Virus gives no warnings on your computer monitor so detection is only noticed when the Virus is active in your MIDI set up.
Eg, this virus will change the parameters of your midi set up randomly so its motive is endless on most systems. This Virus can be spread through any type of computer software just like the FIRE Virus it does not care which software program it links itself to it only can affect MIDI based software but can be carried by any type of program and shall keep looking for calls for the MIDI in out data ports! so be aware of any new or old software you put in your computer!
Like the FIRE Virus the SCRAMBLE Virus will mess around with all sorts of data mostly patches but will also send random program changes and corrupt patches quicker the the previous Virus. IT also has in some known cases destroyed sample dump packets on some Sequencer programs which is totally corrupting live performances in most cases but this is still not very common!
There was a report that a pirate bulletin board based in Europe was distributing a program which will allow you to modify the SCRAMBLE virus so you could make all sorts of different types of viruses which would result in an endless search for these viruses but recent reports have suggested that it has been taken off the boards due to its illegal origin and most users lack of knowledge of the MIDI protocol to modify the program.
THE END
We hope this brief description on MIDI Viruses will help all people who have read about this subject to be more alert of this new attempt to disrupt people in there ability to function under the act of freedom of rights.
Please upload or down load this document freely as it has a meaning for all for more information contact the I.M.A or the M.M.A in the U.S.A. they shall supply further updates on this topic thank you.
N. Dekcus 1990.
Niagain. Dekcus is a Professor of Electronic Music at the U.C.L.A
