Interview with SMT
by Cicatrix
[February 1999]

How did you start out in computers?

> I've started on 1991, and my first machine was Sinclair ZX Spectrum. I knew *all* about Sinclair soft&hard and felt myself as a god:). So, I passed through an excellent school on it and went to PC on May of 1998. Actually, I am a novice in PC world.

How and when did you start out in the virus scene?

> I was interested in creating and breaking software protection and joined to cracking group SMF. At that moment I knew nothing about viruses and after working in SMF I decided to make something in this direction.

Have you written viruses? If so which would you like to take credit for?

> I have done something unvalueable trash today, but in nearly future I'll make some terrible...

How do you name your viruses?

> I helps members of SMF to work on existing projects, so I getting worknames from their authors.

Which programming languages do you know?

> Very much: ASM Z80, ASM x86, C/C++, Pascal, Prolog, Forth, Basic :), and many different scrypts... But my favourite are ASM x86 and C.

What programming language do you like using the most?

> As I already said, it is ASM & C.

Are you a member of a VX group?

> Yes,I think that SMF became a virmaking group, but I working on cracking/coding in SMF.

Which AV software do you like/respect the most? Which the least?

> I recognize only AVP(for windows) and DrWeb(for DOS). Other antivirus products are lamepieces :(

What are your goals (VX wise)?

> It is funny for me to see how my creations are spreading and eating resources. Virmaking is only a funny hobby.

What is your view on the continuous 'war' between VX and AV.

> It's looks like a war between protection-makers and hackers. So, it is endless...

What is your view on Virus Creation software (eg. VCL, PS-MPC etc.)?

> This tools may be used seriously only by their creators, any real coders will not use it, and lamers can't make any interesting on it.

What is your view on macro viruses vs. assembly or HLL viruses?

> Macro viruses has no chance!!! I have no any scrypt-based programs. This virii are lame and does not worth attention.

Have you ever confirmed one of your viruses 'in-the-wild'?

> Yes, of courseeee :))) It is great, but there was no destructions:( Users were very surprised!

Which VX E-zine do you like to most? Which the least?

> Certainly, "Infected Voice" is the best virmaking disk-mag all over the world.It contains information not only for virmakers, but for hackers(crackers, phreakers) too.I'm very disagree with an article in DVL#2 on this topic. But I don't worry a bit about conflicts between Duke/SMF and LovinGOD/SGWW - I'm in indifference of it :-|

Which individual or what group do you like/respect in the VX world?

> I think that names/handles of real best virmakers are not known to people. So, I wish to notice LovinGod, Reminder and other members of SGWW.

In the AV world?

> It is very difficult to create a good virus and it is very easy to make antivirus after detecting it (in worst case they are deletes infected files), so nobody of AVmakers can advance as great as a virmakers :(

Which individual or what group do you like/respect outside the VX or the AV world?

> Of course, cracking/pirates groups - UCF(best), X-Force, PC, Razor1911, DIPG, DRUG, Class, UCL, GPF and many others!

What is your view on destructive payloads in viruses?

> I think that users must fear viruses, so destructive routines are necessary, but I don't like too strong destructions (such as killing all info on HDD).

Do you think there is such a thing as a 'good' virus?

> There is no absolutely 'good' or 'bad' things - existance of viruses is good for experienced people and bad for lamerz, so you know what I mean.

What do you do in 'real' life?

> Now I'm a student of University.

Do people outside the VX scene know what you do (parents, girlfriend etc.)?

> No, only in SMF. Many my friends and other people knows about SMF, but they don't know that I'm here.

Do you do other computer stuff outside VX (Hacking, phreaking, warez etc.)?

> Of course, my main work in Hacking group are cracking. My hobby is creating software protections and breaking through it. I'm also like computer science coding (creating abstract models).

Should viruses be illegal? Is there a difference between creation and spreading?

> Viruses are illegal in Russia, and there is no difference between creation and spreading. I think, that viruses spreading by their creators, so they are carring a fully responsibility for it.

Describe the perfect virus.

> It must sneak in system as long as possible to avoid detecting. Ideal virus can't be detected by onyone, except his author.

What is your view on Windows (95/98)

> It is a great system for coding! There is almost no limits in implementing your algorithms, but code of windows kernel was written very poor, and there are many bugs:(

What is your advice for people just starting out?

> Learn more about assembler/hardware - it is necessary for understanding all other.

How did SMF start and what does SMF mean?

> Actually, I arrived to SMF as a small member.The founders are know, what does SMF mean, but they are keep it in a secret from others.

How is it organized?

> It is very simple - most of time we are doing nothing!

Where can you be reached if at all?

> my e-mail is smt_smf@hotmail.com

What part of the world are you from and how is the VX scene there?

> I'm from Russia. Our VX scene in almost at underground, so it is not easy to find out some info.

Any info on the zine or other material you are about to release?

> Duke is going to release next version of DVL - issue #5.

Any greets?

> Yes, I greet all coders and demomakers all over the world !!!!!

Any other comments (take all the space you need)?

> Actually, I'm not a virmaker, but sometimes I write something...