                            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 packages around, but you will not find many other packages
that are as powerful.

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 and with a higher level of support.

F-PROT may not be sold for profit, nor may it be bundled with other programs
without written permission from the author.

F-PROT is distributed as shareware, but payment is not obligatory.  However,
for a contribution of $15 US (or the equivalent amount in any other
currency), you will become a registered user and will automatically receive
a copy of the next major update.

Of course, should you feel that F-PROT is worth more than $15, just send
a larger amount......   :-) [smile]

If you want to use F-PROT on more than one machine, feel free to do so, but
the registration price then becomes $15 + $2 for each additional computer.

When registering, please indicate which version you have (this version is
number 1.08).  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.
        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.
        VIRUSES.TXT             A description of almost all PC viruses.

        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.  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.
