Date: Fri, 24 Oct 97 12:45:44 -0800
From: EvangeList <evangelist@apple.com>
Subject: Tidbit - Virus Evolution and Windows

Keyword: Advocacy, Why Macs Are Better

This tidbit is from:

Bruce Johnson

Things that make you go 'Hmmmm....'

This is reprinted from the November 97 Scientific American describing 
studies into computer viruses, the whole article is available at:

<http://www.sciam.com/1197issue/1197kephart.html>

"Until 1992, reported sightings of file-infecting viruses and boot 
viruses occurred at roughly equal (and steadily rising) rates. Then the 
incidence rate for file infectors began to fall dramatically, whereas 
that for boot-sector infectors continued to rise. Between late 1992 and 
late 1995, boot-sector infectors reigned supreme. Why did the file 
infectors essentially become extinct?

"We believe the cause was the widespread acceptance of Windows 3.1, an 
enhancement to MS-DOS--the operating system used on most computers--that 
became popular around 1992. Windows crashes readily in the presence of 
typical file viruses, and so necessity will lead afflicted users somehow 
to eliminate the virus from their systems (perhaps by wiping out the hard 
disk and reinstalling all the software), regardless of whether they know 
that the symptoms are caused by a virus."

Wow...I really don't think that this needs any more comment...

Oh yeah it does..

PC Viruses -7000 and counting
Mac Viruses -32

Go Windows! ;->