COMPUTER SECURITY ADVISORY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP93B01194R001700120018-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2013
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: September 18, 1989
• Content Type: MEMO

_ p.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP93B01194R001700120018-5
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18 September 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR: ADP Control Officers
VIA:
FROM:
Chief, INFOSEC Division
Chief, Systems Administration Branch
SUBJECT: Computer Security Advisory
Attached is a notice being circulated in cooperation between OIT
and OS/ISG concerning reports about a potentially damaging
cspmputejJ7iust Please note that the notice is a very low-key
response to the reported virus possibility and recommends only
things that are already sound advice -- namely backing up disk
files. OIT and OS do not recommend altering normal operations or
otherwise responding with excess efforts.
This advisory is being distributed to you as the ADP Control
Officers to allow you to disseminate the information within your
components in a fashion under your control and judgement.
However, OIT is requesting specifically that you DO NOT simply
resend this AIM document to large numbers of people, since such
actions can seriously affect AIM performance. Sending a moderate
number of documents with limited distribution is preferable.
Thank you for you cooperation.
CONFI TIAL
"FY
/107 /knits
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP93B01194R001700120018-5
A
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP93B01194R001700120018-5
CONFIDENTIAL
Columbus Day Virus Alert
Recent articles in U. S. computer trade publications and
other public media report the existence of a PCDOS or MSDOS based
computer virus known as "Datacrime-2" or the "Columbus Day Virus."
Classified sources also confirm the existence of the virus in
Europe. The virus is designed to spread among IBM compatible PCs
by attaching itself to executable files and then acting:on 12_or;
(13OctobefL 19894to destroy the DOS file system information on
disks, making any files on disk inaccessible.
Based upon limited testing, there is no indication that
Agency systems are infected. Nonetheless, users of PCs should be
aware of this virus and its potential damage. Software obtained
for use on Agency systems through sources other than normal
acquisition channels are at greatest risk of contamination. The
best protection against the damage caused by computer viruses is a
regularly scheduled backup of all programs and data. However, it
should be noted that if a virus does occur, special precautions
are required when restoring files from backups to prevent re-
infection.
Please contact the Information Security Technology Assessment
Center (ISTAC), Office of Security, on for additional
information or assistance.
STAT
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/09/12 : CIA-RDP93B01194R001700120018-5