Interview with Lys Kovick
by Slagehammer
[December 1999]

How did you start out in computers?

> I've been around them for most of my life... it only seemed natural although I started programming when a friend from school introduced me to QBasic in '92

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

> I started out in '95 collecting a few viruses from the many h/p/v sites on the internet. However, I didn't really start out until three years later when one day at school I came across a variant of the w97m.class virus... I being the curious student took home my infected document and started to dissect it. That night I had rewritten what I had learned from my experiments on the class variant into a virus that would later be known as w97m.steak

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

> I've written a couple... I'll take credit where credit is due

How do you name your viruses?

> The first thing that comes to mind...

Which programming languages do you know?

> QBasic, Visual Basic, Visual Basic for Applications, Visual Basic Script, and pascal

What programming language do you like using the most?

> vba... it's easy and it's effective ;)

Are you a member of a VX group?

> SWL (Skamwerks Labs) and DVC (Dutch Virii Community)

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

> hmm... I don't know about 'respect' although I use f-prot and avp the most

What are your goals (VX wise)?

> To code a virus that will someday be my bestfriend... he will be able to do my homework... walk the dog... and even beat up the neighborhood bully

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

> War?... I thought it was more or less a game... Although who keeps who in business?

Where did you get you handle? What does it mean?

> It was the only one not taken... it was sitting in a dark dusty corner all by itself... and it was on sale!!!

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

> I try to stay out of politics... although, someone took the time to code it... why not exploit it?!

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

> I think it's the coders ability to work with the language that he or she uses... quality is the most important aspect of any project

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

> Maybe... maybe not...

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

> They're all good in their own way

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

> I respect a few, just ask me and I'll tell you if I respect you or not...

In the AV world?

> I try to ignore them like they try to ignore me... except I'm more of a pain to them than they are to me

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

> That would have to be both my family and friends

What is your view on destructive payloads in viruses?

> I know I have written a few with destructive payloads... however I've come to wonder "what's the point?" Destructive payloads take very little creativity... If you want to piss somebody off just display a naked picture of their mother!

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

> Are biological viruses considered 'good?'

What do you do in 'real' life?

> I sit on my ass in a realy uncomfortable chair... I'm a future professional bum!

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

> My friends know... they think it's 'cool' I'm sure the fbi knows too... although I doubt they think it's 'cool' ;)

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

> I do a little computer grafics and I enjoy reading old hack/phreak tutorials

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

> No they shouldn't... though if it cuases damage the author should be held reliable. Of course there is a difference.

Describe the perfect virus.

> The one that knows me on a first name basis...

What is your view on Windows (95/98)

> I like it... though I wouldn't endorse it

What is your advice for people just starting out?

> Source code and a lot of patience... don't give up ('Script Kiddies' are lame!)

Where can you be reached if at all?

> lys_kovick@hotmail.com

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

> Central USA... although I move around a lot

Any info on new material you are about to release?

> I have a couple of things coming out in LineZero's zine #2 I highly recomend reading it!

Any greets?

> All from SWL and DVC.
> Everyone that's helped me out in the vx scene.
> My friends (you know who you are!).

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

> Don't play with yourself too much! You might break something...
> 'Can I say hello to my mom? ...Hi Mom!'