ML>  CA> If the 'key' is truly random what is there to LOOK for?

ML> the key of course... what's so hard about that?

ML>  CA> This does NOT explain where the writers of virus scanners GET
ML>  CA> the byte sequences of each virus from?  Do writers of virii
ML>  CA> volunteer this information - NOT!

ML> of course not... they simply infect machines that are "sacrificed"
ML> for the job and then watch what goes on... there are plenty of
ML> hardware debuggers and custom designed electronics that one could
ML> simply watch and then freeze the operation for a snapshot...
ML> it's not an uncommon thing...

Yes, I forget the name but there is a board that is actually an
entire computer itself that plugs into a slot and can even bring
a 'dead' computer to life for diagnostics - cost is around $5k.

This, however, is NOT what is used to write virus scanners.

ML> have you ever heard of "TEMPEST" ??  if not, you need to open
ML> your eyes/mind a bit more... it is possible to reproduce everything
ML> that your computer does without any kind of wire linking it to
ML> the reproduction machine... EVERYTHING= can be seen... even your
ML> keystrokes... of course, it costs hundreds of thousands, if not
ML> millions, of $$$ to do but it is possible, is done on routine
ML> basis, and done from a distance...

ML> computers are such radio broadcast stations...

Yes, the NSA has one in a truck they use to test new government
installations.  I doubt outside the NSA that such equipment is
'routine'.

Writers of virus scanners do not work for the NSA.  Trust me.

Charles Angelich
cangelich{at}hotmail.com

---
 þ SLMR 2.1a þ Is ignorance worse than apathy?  Don't know, don't care!
--- T.A.G. 2.7d Standard