Chernobyl Virus Author Arrested In Taiwan

Chen Ing-Hau, the author of the infamous Chernobyl (CIH) computer
virus, has been detained by authorities in Taiwan.

The virus, which triggers on the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear
disaster, is said to have caused over $250 million damage in South
Korea alone last year, infecting a quarter of a million computers
according to government reports.

Chen Ing-Hau was initially questioned by military authorities in
Taiwan in April, 1999, but escaped punishment because there had been
no complaints from Taiwanese companies. He subsequently won a job at
a software company on the back of his infamy.

Chen was arrested last week after a Taiwanese student, who was hit
by the virus when it struck again in April of this year, filed charges.
If found guilty he could face up to three years in jail under
destruction charges.

Commenting on the case, Graham Cluley, Sophos' senior technology
consultant, said that it is encouraging to see the authorities in
Taiwan take the damage caused by viruses such as CIH seriously.

"This sends a strong message to virus writers that they will not
escape punishment for their actions," he said, adding that IT
companies should also realize that virus writers must not be
rewarded for their efforts with lucrative jobs.

According to Cluley, employers may think they are getting a computer
genius, but, in fact they are merely employing someone with the
inclination and ability to write relatively simple yet highly
destructive code.

Sophos has published more information on the COH Virus at http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w95cih.html.

Reported by Newsbytes.com, http://www.newsbytes.com.