Brian,

#1, Writing to executing executables is simple and is in fact done 
    quite often by shareware and some comercial applications.
#2, Protected mode means nothing to the virus programmer.
#3, Even a DOS based program can read/write to HPFS drives under OS/2
    just as they do in DOS. NO VIRUS uses BIOS/DOS calls for reads and ¨   
writes. Such operations are performed at the port level which, as you
    apparently aren't aware, bypasses the operating system entirely.
#4, The OS/2 scanners that are available, DO NOT detect several virusi.
    One that I can demonstrate readily is the Frankenstien virus which I ¨ 
  have on a floppy. Not only do the OS/2 scanners not see it, but the DOS
    based scanners don't recognise it either when run under OS/2. And at 
    this point, the ONLY scanner I've found that DOES find that particular
    virus is Symantec's Anti-Virus for DOS/Windows.

 The point I'm trying to make clear here is, OS/2 virusi may be few and
far between but, they are as real a danger as burns from lighting one's
¨hair afire. And until the OS/2 community wakes up and takes the required
¨steps to prevent loss, the danger will only continue to grow.
  Robert

--- Simplex/2 BBS (v1.07.00Beta [OS/2])