National Post from Toronto, Ontario, Canada • 86

The financial post Special report S34 October 26, 1992 gV Praxis cmpyin There are 400 viruses waiting to infect your machine r-Mm town JJmA fllJta -V cif ic date) the equivalent of an explosion occurs, destroying data. Viruses are frequently picked up Thousands of titles from classic chess to high-tech adventure have helped turn computer games into an industry when copying information. Illegal ly copied software programs are a prime transmission source, but they can also be spread when one employee borrows a infected disk from a fellow worker and copies the information along with the virus on to his own machine. By Laura Ramsay For The Financial Post MICHELANGELO gave computer us- ers a scare last spring, but even the widely publicized appearance of that computer virus wasn't enough to make everyone start practising safe computing. Rumors that a destructive virus had been programmed to appear in computers around the world on the anniversary of the great artist's death (March 6) sent companies scrambling for anti-viral programs and expert examination of their information networks to ensure their systems were clean.

"Michelangelo was great for improving people's awareness" of computer viruses, says Monty Baker, partner at Price Water-house in Mississauga, Ont, who specializes in systems consulting. "But not everyone has awakened to the fact that they're out there." There are more than 400 known computer viruses, and new ones appear each week. A virus is really a foreign code that becomes embedded in a disk and then infects others. When a trigger contained in the virus is activated (in Michelangelo's case the trigger was a spe- A worth $62 million a year. Computer bulletin boards and on-line game boards are other sources of infection, although bul letin boards are beginning to take steps to protect their users.

'Most bulletin boards have JEFF WASSERMANFINANCIAL POST cleaned up their acts by incorporating anti-virus utilities in their operations," said Don Chapman, general manager of Corporate YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS WHAT'S REALLY NEW Great graphics, storylines name of the game in games IN COMPUTING Software Canada Ltd. in Mississauga. But Price Waterhouse's Baker By Miriam Cu-Uy-Gam notes that "bulletin boards are Birds of Prey from used mostly by power users" Electronic Arts, offers 40 different combat aircraft from Britain, the knowledgable enough to create new viruses themselves. "I don't know if virus-protection U.S., France and the Russian Republic. Fly 12 different types of mission, ranging from aerial interception and bomb runs to reconnaissance with the latest photographic surveillance technology.

programs would catch the new ones." Vulnerable to viruses Employees who do work on their Falcon 3.0 from Spectrum HoIoByte of Ala home computers risk spreading vi meda, is a three-dimension al Falcon F-16 flight simulator. As ruses to their company network, particularly if their children are hackers using bulletin boards and game-disk exchanges. squadron commander, lead up to eight jets through various missions, from battle training to combat campaigns over KuwaitIraq, "If my teenager was using my PC, I want to scan all my diS' kettes before I bring them in," Baker says. Panama and Israel. Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Serrated Scalpel from Electronic Arts Inc.

of San Mateo, Calif. As Sherlock Holmes, players track down a murderer in 1888 Good prevention habits include the use of an anti-virus program, which scans each disk for viruses before they can be exposed to the network. Because new viruses are MEET with experts on innovative computer solutions London with help from Dr. Watson and the Baker Street Irregulars that will increase your productivity and performance. PURCHRSERS- I thousands of products, always appearing, make sure you use software that is updated regu larly for newly discovered viruses a group of street-smart urchins.

And if you're stumped, you can turn to Holmes's smarter brother, Mycroft, for help. "Keep updating your virus-scan Financial Post DEVELOPERS of entertainment software are going flat out to meet burgeoning demand with a wide array of new products. Thousands of titles from classic chess to high-tech adventure have helped turn computer games into a $62-million-a-year industry. In the past year alone, the sector has grown 50, up from $41 million in 1990, according to internal estimates by Toronto-based distributor Beamscope Canada Inc. Marketing manager Richard Clarke attributes the phenomenal growth in part to the rise of the home office: about 22 of home owners have personal computers.

And home users are becoming more discriminating in what they want from their software. Clarke notes that good packages today incorporate stereo sound, high-resolution graphics and complex storylines that change according to players' decisions. "Developers who want to show off their graphics have the best-looking packaging," Clarke adds. "They're colorful and look exciting. A game with mediocre graphics will have a mediocre-looking box." Games with complex plots and sophisticated graphics will also take up more space on a hard drive, Clark adds.

"An average game requires three-five megabytes. A really good game may take up as much as 16 megs." Many games enthusiasts are drawn by software that offers adventure and intrigue. Some of the more popular offerings include: King's Quest from Sierra On-Line Inc. of Coursegold, takes players along with King Graham in his search for the missing Royal Family of Daventry. The latest addition to the series, King's Quest VI has just been released.

Accompany shipwrecked Prince Alexander as he ning software and use it regular ly," Baker warns. "And make backups. The Ontario government recent fill purchasers of computer equipment fk services and applications from over 250 computer related exhibitors- Canada's largest demonstration of WIRELESS LAN NETWORK TECHNOLOGY -at work on the Show floor; 2 FREE Vendor Theatres; Operating HOME and MOBILE OFFICE displays; OS2 SOFTWARE TEST DRIVE CENTRE; ly purchased an ant-ivirus program called F-Prot, produced by PC Guardian as part of an upgraded computer security package to be made available to government agencies across the province About 35,000 PCs could be involved. The package is deliberately to enable each ministry or de The latest in PEN-BASED in the Pen Technology Village; New developments in MULTIMEDIA including VIRTUAL partment to determine how the I NNIOURTI ONS- rus-detection function will work on their systems when the PC boots up, at periodic intervals, or on demand. Automatic checks REALITY which combines computers with video; CONSULTANTS FORUM where you'll receive free ONE-ON-ONE advice from ARTHUR ANDERSEN; Dozens of DEMONSTRATIONS and INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS.

Attend the Conference and LEARN from top international Latest Hotest Microsoft Windows Entertainment Pack Volume 4 from Microsoft Canada includes such perennial favorites as chess and black jack. New offerings include Chip's Challenge, a puzzle in which players must brave monsters, fire, ice, mud and gravity pads, to collect all microchips at each level of difficulty before moving on. With winter just around the corner, there's plenty of challenging golf games to keep avid duffers happy until spring. Among them: Jack Nicklaus Golf Course DesignSignature Edition from Accolade Inc. of San Jose, Calif.

Players put their game to the test against the wind, heather and pot bunkers at 250-year-old Muirfield in Scotland, site of this year's British Open. Or play the Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village Club near Columbus, Ohio. Microsoft Golf ($89) is set at scenic Torrey Pines in La Jolla, home of the Shearson Lehman Hutton Open. The software's realistic sound package, which includes chirping birds and the smack of the club head meeting the ball, adds to the excitement unless, of course, you happen to plunk a shot into the Pacific Ocean. Links 386 Pro from Access Software Inc.

of Salt Lake City, features the Harbour Town Golf Links. Save your game and send it to other Links owners, and they can play you shot for if you were there. Chapman says a growing num ber of companies have their PCs automatically checked for viruses each time they re booted up. "In larger corporations, information systems departments are regaining control of the systems. wanders a series of islands looking experts about advances in multimedia, networking, home office and pen-based technology.

THE COMPUTING EVENT OF THE YEAR! Disgruntled employees and workers who are laid off are often cited as potential troublemakers likely to try to sabbotage corporate for a way home. Wizardry: Crusaders of the Dark Savant from Sir-Tech Software Inc. of Ogdens-bure. N.Y. Players must survive computer networks.

Data ex changed between regular business contacts, such as a supplier and a the rigors of a strange alien world as they search for the secret of the customer, is another source of universe. contamination. "You have to be careful you're Quest for Glory III: The not giving your customers or ven Wages of War from Sierra. As fighter, magic user or dors a virus," Baker says. So 'keep updating your, virus scan thief, use; your strength, wits, and courage to dispel the ancient evil ning software; use it regularly, and UuU that threatens the land of Tama.

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