Learn more about the lifecycle of computer viruses, particularly focusing on Atari ST bootsector viruses, which have two main phases: the initial phase when they are unknown and proliferate, and the subsequent phase when they become known and are targeted by antivirus software.
It outlines various characteristics and tactics of these viruses, including symptoms, replication mechanisms, incubation periods, and stealth techniques used to evade detection by antivirus programs.
The article describes techniques used by virus creators to avoid detection by antivirus software on Atari ST systems, including manipulating bootsector formats and checksums. It highlights how viruses obfuscate their code to evade static analysis and may delay activation to bypass boot checks. Additionally, some viruses employ social engineering tactics to disguise themselves as legitimate software. Overall, it illustrates the ongoing struggle between virus creators and antivirus developers.