(a) whether the Government have assessed the damage caused by a computer virus called Winchi;
(b) if so, details thereof;
(c) whether the Government have contemplated any steps to forestall the onslaught of such dreaded virus;
(d): if so, details thereof;
(e): whether certain computers in Delhi were victims to the onslaught of Winchi virus recently as reported in Pioneer dated April 27, 2000; and
(f) if so, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a) and (b): Computer viruses like Winchi, recently reported in a newspaper, keep appearing occasionally. However, no damage caused by the Winchi virus has been reported to the Ministry of Information Technology.
(c) and (d): There is no universal solution to forestall new viruses as each virus requires dedicated anti virus software for its protection. A large number of vendors now offer software solutions for the known viruses.
(e) and (f): No such case has come to the notice of the Ministry of Information Technology.