Early Detection Saves OCLC
from Melissa Virus
The outbreak of the "Melissa" computer virus hit companies from coast to coast, but early detection saved OCLC from trouble. The infected e-mail attachment was spotted March 26 by a technician, and within 20 minutes the nonprofit computer network, which links 33,000 libraries around the world, warned its 800 staff members not to open the attachment.
Spokesperson Bob Murphy said of the technician's early spotting, "We were fortunate, his name started with a 'B'. The key to avoiding the virus was to have the infrastructure in place so that we could act quickly," he added. OCLC is a heavy user of Microsoft programs.
Sherri Vanyek, director of Information Technology and Telecommunications Services at the American Library Association, said the virus did not infiltrate ALA because it only attacks networks that use Microsoft Outlook e-mail; ALA uses GroupWise.
On April Fool's Day, 30-year-old David L. Smith of New Jersey was arrested and charged with originating the virus.
Posted April 5, 1999.
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