Introduction to F-PROT

F-PROT is a fairly large package, intended to provide almost complete
protection against computer viruses.  I admit that it is not the most
user-friendly package around, but you will not find many other packages
that are as powerful.  It is a bit difficult to say how many different
viruses the programs can handle - the number is from 65 to 150, depending
on the definition of "different".

F-PROT may be freely distributed outside of Iceland, provided it is not
changed in any way.  In Iceland it is distributed as a commercial product,
under a different name, with a printed manual and a higher level of support.
I am currently looking for companies that might be interested in producing a
commercial version of this package in various other countries.

F-PROT may not be bundled with other programs without written permission
from the author.

F-PROT is distributed as shareware - if you want to support continued
development, please register your copy.

Registration fee depends on the number of computers F-PROT is used on:

	Educational institutions:   1-14  computers     $15
	                            15-500 computers    $1 per computer
				    over 500 computers  $500

	Everybody else:             1-7 computers       $15
				    8-500 computers     $2 per computer
				    over 500 computers  $1000
	
Even though the prices given are in US dollars, you are free to send the
payment in any other currency.

As I personally dislike shareware which states "If you use this package
you must send in some $$$", I will not request payments, but I must point
out that if nobody sends in any contributions, I will sooner or later
stop distributing the package as a shareware product.

When registering, please indicate which version you have (this version is
number 1.11).  My address is

                        Fridrik Skulason
                        Box 7180
                        IS-127 Reykjavik
                        Iceland

If there are restrictions at your site that prevent you from using
shareware, just contact me - I'll be happy to sell you the package in a
more ordinary way.

The F-PROT package includes the following files:

        AUTHOR.TXT              Name and address of the author.
        BOOTVIR.TXT             A description of known boot sector viruses.
        FILVIR.TXT              A description of known program viruses.
        INSTALL.TXT             How to install the package.
        READ-ME.TXT             This file.
        UPDATES.TXT             How to obtain updates.
        USAGE.TXT               How to use this package.
        VIRDOC.TXT              Information about viruses in general.

        SIGN.TXT                The virus "signatures".

        F-DRIVER.SYS            Monitors against known viruses.
        F-NET.EXE               "Fix" for users of Novell networks.
        F-OSCHK.EXE             A checksumming program for the system files,
                                the boot sector and the partition record.
        F-LOCK.EXE              Protection against unknown viruses and Trojans.
        F-SYSCHK.EXE            Checks for infection by known viruses.
        F-FCHK.EXE              Removes infections in files.
        F-DISINF.EXE            Looks for boot sector infections.
        F-XLOCK.EXE             Adds code to executable files, so they will
                                check (when run) if they have been infected.
        F-UNLOCK.EXE            Removes the code described above.
        F-XCHK.EXE              Only allows programs modified in this way
                                to be run.
        F-RUN.EXE               Used to run unmodified programs, when F-XCHK
                                is active.
        F-INOC.EXE              Inoculates diskettes against some boot
                                sector viruses.
        F-POPUP.EXE             Produces Pop-Up windows, when F-LOCK is
                                active.
        F-DLOCK.EXE             Protects the hard disk from writing or
                                formatting.
        F-EX.EXE                Removes the memory-resident programs in
                                this package from memory.
        F-DIR.EXE               Lists hidden or read-only files.
        F-MMAP.EXE              Produces a detailed memory map.
        F-HIDE.EXE              Hides files.
        F-UNHIDE.EXE            Unhides files.
        F-BOOT.EXE              Shows the boot sector.
        F-PBR.EXE               Shows the partition boot record.

The F-PROT package was written using MASM (Microsoft) and TURBO-C (Borland).

I wish to thank all those I have received information, virus samples,
encouragement and other assistance from.

Special thanks to Ralf Brown.  His list of the IBM PC-interrupt functions
saved me a lot of work on several occasions.

Finally - a disclaimer (well, sort of....)

The programs in this package have been thoroughly tested in Iceland and are
(at the time of writing) used on about 1000 computers locally, but versions
1.07 and later have also been distributed internationally, so most of
the "bugs" should have been detected and removed by now. I cannot, however,
guarantee that every program will work perfectly with every possible
combination of hardware and software.  Because many of the programs in the
F-PROT package expect a very high level of compatibility, some problems could
arise on machines not "100% IBM compatible".

As far as I know the programs are free of bugs, but they are not perfect,
and any suggestions for improvement are appreciated.