With Columbus Day Virus Scare Afoot, Be Safe, Not Sorry

October 06, 1989|By Dennis Lynch.

Just when you thought it was safe to turn on your computer, along comes another computer virus scare. This time it`s the Columbus Day Virus, set to kick in next Thursday. Forget about what Columbus discovered. This Oct. 12 many IBM computer users may face a thoroughly unpleasant discovery: the erasure of their hard disks.

Here`s how the virus works: A small segment of computer code attaches itself to a program file on your hard disk. The virus then replicates itself, spreading throughout your hard drive and infecting disks in your floppy drives as well. The virus stays dormant until you start up your computer Thursday;

then it comes to life and wipes out your hard disk directory, making your files inaccessible to you.

How could the virus get on your hard drive? If you download files from an online service, you might get an infected file. Or if your computer is part of a network, an infected file could be transmitted on it. Or even an infected floppy diskette used on your system could spread the virus to your hard drive.

It`s hard to know how much credence to give to these virus scares. On one hand, much of the publicity surrounding them is coming from public relations people for the makers of virus protection products. Let`s face it: The more computer files that are trashed and the more people that are scared of viruses, the more money computer security companies make.

Still, the virus, which is also called the DataCrime 89 Virus or the Icelandic Virus, should be taken seriously if you frequently download files. If you use an IBM computer but don`t back up your hard drive regularly, you should back it up this week for sure. Wednesday night wouldn`t be a bad time. - - -

Speaking of viruses, a new arcade game called Qix puts you in the role of a hacker who must hunt down and trap a fictitious virus spreading through your computer system. But the virus plot merely provides a background story for this enjoyable challenge to your mental dexterity. Featuring colorful graphics and superb sound, Qix is a nonviolent game that should appeal to players of all ages.

Qix is made by Taito and is available for most computer systems at prices ranging from $29.95 to $37.95, depending on your system.

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The game I`ve been spending the most hours on lately is Star Fleet II, the long awaited sequel to-you`ll never guess-Star Fleet I, which this column picked as the best computer game of 1986.

If you were one of the many hundreds of thousands of players of Star Fleet I, you`ll remember that the game put you in the role of an Alliance starship commander, using your wits to do battle against the nasty Krellan Empire.

Star Fleet II puts you in the role of the bad guy. As the commander of a Krellan battlecruiser you attempt to conquer the galaxy, using every underhanded method at your disposal. You`ll need not only military might but also trickery and deceit to claw your way up the ranks of command.

The game is richly detailed, much more so then the original. Indeed, the game is so complex that it is overwhelming at first. It took me many hours of play to be able to understand everything on the Main Command screen, and I have yet to wade through all of the 146-page manual. Don`t buy it unless you are prepared for a steep learning curve.

Moreover, be ready to save your games often. The game has some troublesome bugs that occasionally will unceremoniously dump you out of it. However, though it lacks the simple elegance of Star Fleet I, this sequel should hold your attention for months of play time-if you are willing to invest many hours to learn it.

Star Fleet II is available for IBM computers through Interstel for $59.95. A tutorial disks cost $14.95 extra.

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A much easier game to learn, and one that`s much more down to earth, is Devon Aire in the Hidden Diamond Caper, a wacky new interactive puzzle. You assume the role of Devon Aire, a cat burglar who has been hired to find some jewels stashed in Crutchfield Manor.

This manic mansion is filled with all sorts of surprises, including the usual trapdoors and hidden staircases, as well as the unusual killer canaries and mutant pig-mice. To collect the gems you`ll need to push, pull, stack and collect various objects. Good news for kids and nontypists: Absolutely no typing is required.

Devon Aire is available for most computer systems from Epyx. It retails for $29.95 to $49.95, depending on your machine.

