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Insidious Microsoft Virus

- 2000.01.11

1/11/2K: Unbelievable. That's the only word that comes close to describing this dormant virus that Microsoft engineers have placed in every non-Windows Microsoft application since 1996.

The virus exists as several separate components strewn through the Microsoft application itself and its support programs, especially OLE.

Now that Microsoft has been ruled a virtual monopoly, our source feels this insidious plot needs to be revealed - the virus can be remotely activated by Microsoft any time the user visits the Microsoft site, MSNBC, or clicks on a "Best Viewed With Internet Explorer" button.

But the virus remains dormant until Microsoft activates it. Until then, there is absolutely no sign of a virus on your computer - the code fragments are so well strewn about, nobody has yet detected them.

Worst of all, Microsoft can target this on a platform specific basis. If they want to take down anything running a 68k version of Internet Explorer, they can do it. And the virus can be set on a timer, so it may not activate for hours, days, or even months after it was enabled.

The only indication that something might be wrong, and the thing that led our source on a detailed hunt of Microsoft code, was the fact the the Mac becomes increasingly unstable every time you add another Microsoft application.

Using just Internet Explorer or Word may make your Mac a bit flaky, but load the entire Office Suite along with IE and Outlook Express, and watch your Mac crash or lock up more than before.

This is the hidden cost of Apple's $150 million deal with Microsoft - by default, this secret virus code is installed on each and every Apple computer sold today.

Our source indicates this software-specific virus may even be embedded in Microsoft's free TrueType fonts for the Mac, not just applications. (Quark users note: Microsoft's OLE code is part of your package!)

The end result is that even if the virus hasn't been activated, Macs with Microsoft applications will act more and more like Windows computers as additional Microsoft code is run. They'll develop inexplicable crashes and lockups.

No blue screen of death yet, but that could be next.

Don't presume it's bad coding just because it bears the Microsoft label. Our source claims this is a very deliberate attempt on Microsoft's part to discredit the Mac OS.

Be very afraid.

- Anne Onymus

Recent Rumor Mills

Microsoft Announces Cash for Clunker PCs, 07.29. Beleaguered Microsoft, with declines in profits and market share, is offering cash for old computers to boost sales of new PCs with Windows Vista installed.
StealthMac: 2 Hardware Solutions for Mac OS X on Windows PCs, 01.26. Apple has been working on hardware to put a Mac inside a Windows PC for over a decade. The latest developments, according to our MacMole.
Apple Announces Mac OS X Licensing, 01.14. Apple decided it would rather switch policies than fight Pystar and others. OS X licensing program could change Psystar's future.
New Apple drive supports Blu-ray and HD DVD, 09.11. Tired of being second-guessed and sometimes outmaneuvered by Microsoft, Apple has embraced both next gen DVD formats with its new SuperDrive Extreme.
More in the Rumor Mill index.

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: 15" MacBook Pro Core Duo, Jan. 2006 - The first Intel-based MacBook launched at 1.83-2.0 GHz, had several teething problems.
Group of the Day: System 6 is the email list for those who choose System 6.
November 22 in LEM history: 99: Gradebooks - 00: Leveraging Apple design - Quadra 630 to Power Mac 5200 - 02: Laptop or desktop? - 04: SuperDuper: Quick, easy, efficient backup - Cross-platform programming for the rest of us - 05: Mac video surveillance on the cheap - Which OS is best for my vintage Mac? - No 'best browser' for the Mac - Sorry state of browsers for classic Macs - 06: Core 2 means cooler running 'Books - 2.0 GHz G4 upgrade
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Recent Deals

Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.17. Used 1.83 GHz, $750; 2.16, $800; 2.33, $900; refurb 2.4, $1,299; 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,899; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.17. Used 400 MHz, $50; 933 MHz, $80; 500 dual, $60; 867 dual, $90; 1 GHz dual, $150; 1.25 GHz dual, $225; 1.42 GHz, $499.
Best Mac OS X 10.5 Deals, 11.17. "Leopard" upgrade, $80; single user license, $135; 5 users, $173; Mac Box Set, 5 users, $230; Server, 10 users, $340; unlimited, $850. Shipping included.
Best Mac mini Deals, 11.16. Used 1.42 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.66 GHz Core Solo, $419; 2.0 Core 2, $450; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $769; Server, $990.
Best iBook G4 Deals, 11.16. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $210; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz, $479; SuperDrive, $498.
Best iPod shuffle Deals, 11.16. Used 1 GB, $35; 4 GB, $65; refurb 1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 2 GB, $55, 4 GB, $75. New and refurb prices include shipping.
More deals in our archive.

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