Interview with VirusBuster
by Cicatrix
[November 1997]

How did you start out in computers?

When i was 14 or 15 years old, i don't remember exactly. I wanted to play computer games and my mother bought me an Amstrad CPC 464.

First, i wanted the computer to play, but i started to spend many hours investigating, making stupid programs and so. Since then, i live for computers.

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

I was 17 years old, and i loved warez. I copied all i saw... When i met somebody, the first i said him was if he had a computer, games and programs...

One day, a cousin presented me a guy who had a lot of games... This guy was Gordon Shumway.

He had viruses and he was interested in them. He introduced me in the world of virii.

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

I never have written a virus. I don't know the enough ASM to create a good virus.

How i don't want to code non-resident COM infectors, there are so many coders for that, i prefer to think about new virii techniques.

Then, i affort ideas for new viruses in 29A.

Long time ago, when i started with viruses, i mutated some virus. I can take credit for some variant of Tobacco, a mutation of AntiCad.2900.

How do you name your viruses?

What viruses? :)

Which programming languages do you know?

I know Cobol, Basic and i have some idea of Pascal and ASM.

When i need to program something i take the telephone and call to TcP... ;-)

What programming language do you like using the most?

I'ld like to know perfectly ASM and C++.

Are you a member of a VX group?

29A. [VirusBuster is now (2/98) a collaborator / Cicatrix]

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

Nowadays, the best AV without discussion is Antiviral Toolkit Pro... (Eugene, you owe me a registered version of AVP 3.0 for DOS ;)

And the worst is Anyware Antivirus, a spanish AV from Anyware.

What are your goals (VX wise)?

I want to discover a new virii technique that a lot of people use in their viruses.

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

This war beneffits both bands. With money to AVers and with knowledges to VXers.

This war is good for all.

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

I was thinking about a handle for me... Then, i thought in "GhostBusters" and i choosed "VirusBuster". It sounds good for me.

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

If you code one, you rox.
If you use one, you sux.

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

You can start as you want in the world of viruses... You can code macro viruses, batch viruses or you want...

If you never evolutionate to "real" viruses, ASM virii, then it would be better you never had started.

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

Well, Tobacco's, the AntiCad.2900 mutations, were very popular in Spain. All the AVs detect them. (Scan, F-Prot, Avp, TBAV, Dr. Solly, ...)

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

I like 29A. It isn't because i'm from the group that make the zine. I like it because the viruses are not dangerous and the code is original.

There are very good viruses, new techniques, and all you can expect from the best virii zine.

The worst virii zine... DHC.

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

I liked VLAD for years. Nowdays, 29A is the group to like/respect.

Individually, i respect very much to Quantum, Qark, Griyo, Mr. Sandman and Jacky Qwerty.

In the AV world?

Eugene Kaspersky is the boss, man.

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

I like UCF, (United Cracking Force) and individually to Lost Soul, Solar Diz and other great crackers.

What is your view on destructive payloads in viruses?

A good viruses doesn't need to destroy anything. A destructive payload is for losers.

All people can code a destructive payload (int 26h ruless), but not all people can code a good mutation engine, stealth or so.

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

I think there isn't it.

What do you do in 'real' life?

I don't work, then i spend my time with my girlfriend, my computer and a BBS. (Dark Node +34-81-564-053 Subliminal publicity ;)

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

Some friend know it.

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

Cracking and warez.

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

Of course, there are differences between creation and spreading.

You allways can code all you want. Then, you can code and show your viruses in a zine or as you want.

It could be illegal, in Spain is illegal, spread it if you know you are doing it and you do it to fuck someone.

But everybody can CODE, PUBLISH and HAVE viruses. It can not be illegal...

If there are viruses, then the antivirus are needed. If the AVers can have the viruses to do AVs, then all people can have them.

Describe the perfect virus.

There isn't the perfect virus. If it exist it would be a virus that infects to his coder and he doesn't know never.

What is your view on Windows (95)

The Windows NT/95 viruses is the future in the virii scene.

All the DOS virii coders must to learn how to code viruses under these OS's. (29A is trying to teach how to code Windows 95/NT viruses)

What is your advice for people just starting out?

They must learn ASM very well. When he knows it, they must learn how the AVs work.

Then... Imagination to do new things.

Where can you be reached if at all?

darknode@oninet.es

#virus (Effnet, Undernet)

Dark Node, 34-(9)81-564-053

Any greets?

To you Cicatrix, thanxs for ask me my opinions.

To Mr. Sandman for create a spanish virii group.

To Poltergeist for be a good friend of mine.

Any other comments?

The life would be so bored without viruses... ;-)))

Short responses to the following names or words:

            - Dark Avenger

    The death king.

            - Dark Angel

    Only another death virii coder.

            - Sarah Gordon

    A strange in the city.

            - Fridrik Skulason

    Y.C.I.E.R.P. (You are very intelligent, man)

            - Alan Solomon

    Today he isn't nobody.

            - WordBasic/VBA

    Another way to do viruses, but viruses at least.

            - VDAT

    The book of history of the virii scene.

            - VSUM

    It was kewl, but now sux.

            - Assembler

    The very best languaje to code viruses.

            - NuKE

    Death guys...

            - Phalcon Skism

    A lot of people learnt to code viruses with the tutorial...

            - VLAD

    Kool guys.

            - Immortal Riot

    What's up with this group, is yet alive?

            - Trident

    I don't like gum, thanxs.

            - Polymorphic

    A good way to give headaches to the AV's.

            - Stealth

    A good way to fuck lamers.

            - I hate......

    Rata Grasienta X-DDD

            - I love......

    My girlfriend and how Stevie Ray Vaughan played the guitar.

            - Internet

    The way to access to IRC.

            - IRC

    The way to meet with the best virii coders in the world.

            - Sex

    All you want/can but safe. You must code viruses not get them.

            - World War 3

    I don't know how will be the WW3, but the WW4 will be using stones and
    sticks. (Albert Einstein)

How did you get into 29A?

I was in the right place in the right moment.

I founded a virii dedicated BBS. I joined a good group of virii coders from Spain that before they were alone.

Some time later, Mr. Sandman spoke about make a zine. With the people of the BBS, we created a group to make the zine.

I participated in the making of 29A #1, then i was included in the team.

How is 29A organized?

Mr. Sandman is the coordinator of the zine. He takes all the articles and join them into the zine. And he says if someone can join 29A.

There is no more organization.

How is the virus scene in Spain?

There are a few of virii coders. Almost all them code crap viruses.

Will you or 29A ever release a virus creator?

Never, but it would be great a virus creator for Windows 95.

What is in your future and the future of 29A?

My future... I'll continue afforting more good ideas for 29A's viruses.

29A's future... We will continue making the zine full of good viruses, new techniques and tricks to fuck AVs.

Will 29A increase the number of members?

Mr. Sandman must respond to this question.

Will 29A go into other scenes except VX? (hacking, etc.)

I think that 29A only will go into VX scene. We are people that know about viruses, neither hacking nor phreaking.