Bliss (computer virus)
Bliss ( English for " happiness ") is a computer virus , the GNU / Linux - operating systems can attack. On February 5, 1997, its author published the source code .
When Bliss is running, it attaches itself to executable files ( programs , scripts) that ordinary users cannot access. These executable files can then no longer be executed. Therefore, Bliss is noticed very quickly.
Bliss writes a clean log file for all of its actions, "/tmp/.bliss" (the dot at the beginning of the file name indicates files that are hidden in Linux , so they cannot be seen in normal display mode). There is also a command line parameter "--bliss-uninfect-files-please" (something like "Bliss, please disinfect the files"), which actually causes the infections to be reversed.
All of these properties suggest that Bliss may just have been written to prove that Linux can be infected with computer viruses ( proof of concept ). This virus also does not reproduce very effectively because the system of user rights in Linux makes it very difficult to spread. Bliss has never been able to spread and thus remained a curiosity from research.
When the discovery of Bliss became public knowledge, some gave manufacturers of antivirus software press releases out; they claimed that now that a Linux virus did exist, it was important that Linux users buy antivirus software to protect themselves. Linux users do not usually use anti-virus software, at most on servers that serve as file or e-mail servers for Windows computers and therefore scan all data for Windows viruses.
See also
Web links
- Bliss, a Linux "virus" (English)