Interview with Mandragore
by Cicatrix
[December 1998]

How did you start out in computers?

> When i was 7, i had a CPC 6128. I was playing a lot, and copying listings. I've began to crack some z80 gamez at 9 with discology :) I'm still cracking z80 games, just for me and the phun. Later i had a 386 and i started x86 coding with asm. i'm a warrior.

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

> I've always been interested by viruses, maybe a kind of destiny ... Once, when i was young, i said to a girl at school that i wrote a virus, but it wasn't true. I felt bad after, and wanted to correct that. Then i started to code instead of decoding, and my first virus was 3 years ago.

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

> Not so many: each time i'm learning something, or exploring some old, hidden, dark and forgotten DOS structures. It can take a lot of time.... and i'm trying to have a social life :)

How do you name your viruses?

> I'm trying to find something meaningful each time, from Cthulu myth to Tolkien's folklore, and sometimes from a world event.

Which programming languages do you know?

> ASM iz my best, but i know a bit of C++ and Pascal.

What programming language do you like using the most?

> ASM of course. You can nearly do anything. It's really flexible. Learn ASM and you don't need anything else.

Are you a member of a VX group?

> I've been in Invaders, and now i'm in DDT .

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

> I've been disappointed by each of them, and I don't have any respect for them... But i can say that i can't bear f-prot, mcafee products, and NAV. Most of the time i'm working w/ AVP and DrWeb.

What are your goals (VX wise)?

> I would have some virii in the wild, and be a better coder. But i'm working on :)

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

> Really ? i don't care. They do their commercial job, and they let us work to feed them. We've got though a close relation, and like a couple there's some problems sometimes...

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

> hehe mandragore is a french word. It's a magic root, used in lots of tells. At first, i like to be root everywhere... and it contains some narcotics :)~ From a magical point of view, it can be used to make love potions, it brings you wealth, but misfortune in the same time. It makes the women more fertile. It can be used in invisible potion too. It's mainly german folklore. It's a CPC game too. My nick comes from all that.

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

> It's a good job to do, but a crappy thing to use. I've saw too many virii made with this tools. Many lamerz clame to be virus writer, but they don't even know what asm is. Coding is like a martial art : you learn to kill only when you can control it.

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

> For me, macro viruses was something ridiculous a few time ago. But i must admit that nowaday, it's a real art and it must be considerated. They're spread really fast, and everywhere! I don't understand (yet?) the advantage to code using HLL.

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

> never :( but i don't spread it myself.

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

> I love xine because it has a hack part, 29A issues for the quality, and vx united for the (good) idea. I don't hate any particular e-zine, just the lame ones using only HLL, with old stuff, or ripped from a better one.

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

> I like 29A, even if it contains some arrogant persons, but nobody'z perfect :P IKX is a good group according to me, SLAM too, and FS contains lots of good members: i'm waiting good stuff from them.

In the AV world?

> I really don't care of the AV world. I've just only one thing to say : McAfee iz the Bill Gates of AV products. Nothing more, nothing less.

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

> I like Nitrophusion, it's a group of friends (greets to darky, cleaner, ...). I admire the x86.org job against intel, UCF, and many other...

What is your view on destructive payloads in viruses?

> It suxx, and most of the time it decreases the spread rate. Where's the beauty? the hard part? what's the goal? only mad ppl destroy freely. You can crash a medical server, or an airport. Those viruses can kill in real. It's a murder. If someone kills my HD, i'll kill him!

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

> I feel really well when i finish a new virii, cause i've learned a lot of things. I'm a better coder, each time. It's a good feeling, and a bad too : we have to be humble to progress.

What do you do in 'real' life?

> I've just missed some scientific exams, then i don't really know yet... I'll certainly work in networks business or something like that.

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

> My parents don't really understand what i do, for them i'm computing...
> My girlfriend doesn't care, she has some personnal problems w/ my computer :)
> My freinds... hmm i dunno in fact. They know what i do, but they're just a bit afraid when i give zem something :)

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

> I've always been interested about hpcav since local BBSing, and later being cosysop. I never had some real hacking results, i don't take the time to progress, but it helps me to understand what i do, what's happening. That's why i've began to disasm on my CPC, becoming later a vxer. I tryied to phreak too, but i don't have enough electronical skillz. Phreaking is highly prohibited here (france).
> Warez ? I'm for the freedom of information, but i'm not a trader. I just can't bear thoses lame kids trading some .cab :)

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

> I must admit : it's a rape, but the computer is agree. Mine is 18+ :)) Creating is something really different than spreading, it's improving, but spreading can be funny or usefull.

Describe the perfect virus.

> You already have it. But you don't know... It's an impossible virus to catch, it's so stealthy than you cannot guess that's here. none payload, fast spreading, compatible for a long time.

What is your view on Windows (95/98)

> sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttt Necro$oft brings us the power of yesterdays computers today

What is your advice for people just starting out?

> Be patience, work a lot, make your own work whatever one may say. Enjoy what you do, only motivated persons do something.

Short responses to the following names or words:

                - Dark Avenger              our god ...

                - Dark Angel                another legend

                - Sarah Gordon              i guess she's smoking

                - Fridrik Skulason          does he work for us ?

                - Alan Solomon              come on, keep joking dude

                - WordBasic/VBA             hard job or lame job, not medium!

                - VDAT                      a necessity, our bible.

                - VSUM                      disinformation ?

                - Assembler                 rulez. whatever people may say.

                - Phalcon Skism             our past, something to know

                - Polymorphic               good technology

                - Stealth                   good too, when well used

                - I hate......              CATS. sorry, some kind of reflex :)

                - I love......              have some good time ...

                - Internet                  the freedom. for now.

                - IRC                       i can try to stop when i want!

                - Sex                       our essence, our goal, our motivation

                - World War 3               press a key to continue ...

Where can you be reached if at all?

> at 2600hz@thepentagon.com, mdrg@mygale.org, or http://www.mygale.org/~mdrg

Any greets?

> urgo32, buzz, darkman, yesna, all other virus writers and any activ person.

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

> - sorry for my bad english, i promiss i'll learn :)
> - keep working cicatrix ! we need you for vx community !
> - all i need is a board and a wave to surf it on ...

NO CARRIER