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1988-06-06
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V_CHECK SERIES 1.0
By
Dave Millis
P.O. Box 2371
Glenview, IL 60025
V_CHECK Series 1.0 6/88 2
V_CHECK Series 1.0 was written as a service for the many
computer users who may be concerned about the growing number of
virus programs and the destruction that can result from them.
The inspiration for V_CHECK comes from not only the
extensive reading of current computer literature, but also from
my experience consulting people whom work with micro computers in
a university setting. Software needs to be protected, but not
everyone can afford a commercial package, some of which can be
very expensive. In fact, with the extensive network of computer
users throughout the world, less expensive tools for detecting
and preventing the wrath of viruses are extremely necessary. For
this reason I wrote the V_CHECK program series.
V_CHECK is a conglomeration of six programs to do a
comprehensive check on your important files and on DOS system
files.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
scc.com --> run this first. This program compares date, time,
size and checksum of system files against an
original copy in the A: or B: drive.
sfc.com --> creates a hidden file with date, time, and size of
system files if one does not exist. On successive
runs, it checks this information against the current
status of the file.
mcf.com --> creates a database of information (in a hidden file)
which contains time, date, size, and checksum for
each file entered.
ccf.com --> uses the data file created by mcf.com and runs a
check on the current status of the files making
sure no changes to time, date, size or checksum.
dsfc.com --> deletes the hidden file created by sfc.com.
dmcf.com --> deletes the hidden file created by mcf.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In these times when more and more people are offering
'protection' from viruses, V_CHECK programs offer detection of
viruses which change a file's time, date, size or checksum.
Although some other programs offer much of the same as V_CHECK, I
have tried to produce a much more complete set of programs and
have also made the source code available for those who would like
to customize or personalize the routines for either special
additions or other purposes. (see page 5)
V_CHECK Series 1.0 6/88 3
I have had a lot of people try out V_CHECK and tell me what they
thought of it. (Of course, more feedback and suggestions are
always welcome.) Having been tested on a large number of IBM and
IBM compatible computers, incorporating at least ten different
types of DOS, both PC DOS and MS DOS, I have not found an MS type
DOS that could not be checked with V_CHECK. However, I offer
V_CHECK as is and make absolutely no guarantees implied or
otherwise. If used as recommended, V_CHECK Series 1.0 will
hopefully help people detect and eliminate viruses infecting
computers which result in costly damage.
V_CHECK Series 1.0 6/88 4
HOW TO USE V_CHECK Series 1.0
First things first, the easiest way to run V_CHECK programs is
from the root directory. Copy programs onto your hard disk.
Step 1: Put an original copy of your DOS in the A: or B: drive.
Run SCC.COM. If differences exist, think carefully
about how you may have caused those changes.
Especially, look at changes to the date for clues.
Changes to the size and/or checksum may indicate a
serious problem. Any suspicious changes should be
noted - written down on paper and saved for future
reference. Next, replace suspicious files with those
from the original disk. If 'successful comparison',
continue to step 2.
Step 2: Put SFC.COM in the root directory and run it once to
create the data file. Successive runs will check the
current status of system files against the information
in the data file.
(I put a call to SFC.COM in my autoexec.bat file so
that each time I turn my computer on, the system files
are checked.)
Step 3: Run MCF.COM from the root directory. This will build
a data file consisting of a name, time, date, size, and
checksum for each requested file. I suggest including
Command.com and V_CHECK programs with your other
important files. DO NOT INCLUDE FILES WHICH CHANGE
DURING NORMAL USE, (i.e. Wordstar and Lotus files).
REMEMBER, the full path name must be given for files
not in the current directory, up to 35 characters long,
i.e. NAME OF FILE: \ws\ws.exe
Step 4: Run CCF.COM to check the file just created by MCF.COM.
One may or may not want to include CCF.COM in the
autoexec.bat file. Depending on the size and number of
files requested to be checked, the time taken to run a
complete check may take anywhere from less than a
second to more than several minutes.
If a discrepancy is found in a file, make a note of it
(write it down!) and replace it.
DSFC.COM and DMCF.COM are needed to remove data files. Some
people feel better removing these files when optimizing their
hard disk and then re-running SFC.COM and MCF.COM.
V_CHECK Series 1.0 6/88 5
REQUESTING SOURCE CODE:
Anyone making a contribution of five dollars or more for my
time and development expenses will receive a disk with the source
code and programs for the latest version of V_CHECK programs. I
wrote V_CHECK using Borland's TURBO C ver 1.5, and my own SCRNLIB
ver 1.5 for a few additional screen handling functions.
A last point -
I strongly recommend keeping a written log of any changes
to files found during use of V_CHECK. Although V_CHECK will not
stop a virus from infecting a file or program during operation of
your computer, if V_CHECK is used to check a program which
becomes infected, the chances are good that you may be able to
detect it before it does any harm. Also, in detecting viruses,
you help others to identify them and hopefully help prevent
damage and loss. I hope you find V_CHECK helpful.
Dave Millis
6/88
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Dave Millis
P.O. Box 2371
Glenview, IL 60025