VirusKeeper 1

VKDOC.HTM Last updated on 11/15/99
Introduction Quick Start Command Line Parameters Files/Dirs used by VK
Examples Cost/Pricing Frequently Asked Questions Configuration Entries
Credits Contact Recommended Utilities

Introduction

VirusKeeper One is meant to be a complete virus collectors data management system. From here you should be able to do everything you need to do. This program was written for my own use to build up my collection. I believe my collection statistics show that it has been an effective tool. I decided to share it with others when some friends asked to see my work. Since then I have released it via the web for public use. If you do not like the way VK works, I am sorry. It has never been written for popular usage. After all, there are only so many virus collectors, this is a free program and life does exist outside the world of computers. With that cranky statement out of the way, here is the scoop:

VirusKeeper is not a quick little DOS utility.

VK will take will take a little getting used to, it is not meant to be a clone of anything else out there. It does things differently. For instance, VK does not store viruses with long names like Intended.Frog.Tadpole.COM. Instead, they are simply named VS000001.COM, and so on. You can browse all the virii in a database and find them that way. Much nicer than working you way through all those subdirectories (try it out, find Intended.Macro.Word.Snothead.damaged sometime).

VK is batch ready. For instance, to read in your logs, check for new virii, bring them in and put them in ZIP archives you would need to run VK CHECK. That's all! Not bad for a little set up is it?

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Quick Start (New Install/Upgrading)

To start a new installation of VK here are the steps:
  1. What you need: AVP32 for DOS, F-Prot for DOS, PKZIP25 (or some DOS ZIP program), and some viruses.
  2. Put VK.EXE in a directory where you can safely test VirusKeeper. VK can't handle long filenames or directory names. It is a limitation of Clipper, the language used for VirusKeeper.
  3. Run VK. It will create the necessary database files and indexes.
  4. run VK CONFIG (see help on CONFIG if you need further help)
  5. Exit VK.
  6. Put some virii in the directory NEW. Run your scanners on this directory, creating the report files.
  7. Run VK CHECK)
  8. After VK has run, go out and look in VFILES, NEW and DELETE. There will probably be some virii in each one: ARCHIVES - If you marked the option to automatically move files to ZIPS your collection will be zipped up here. VFILES - your collection will be here if you didn't auto-archive. DELETE - virii files you did not need. NEW - virii files you did not detect.
  9. VK BROWSE to view your collection.
  10. When you feel ready to use VK, move all your files into the NEW directory and scan it in.
  11. When your virus scanner is updated, run it on your collection. Use the UPDATE function of VK to add any changes into the database.
To Upgrade your existing VK (any version) install here are the steps:
  1. make a backup!!!!
  2. Unzip your public viruses (VZ*.ZIP) in VFILES
  3. Make an AV scan of VFILES with AVP and FPROT
  4. erase *.DBF
  5. erase *.NTX
  6. erase ARCHIVES\*.*
  7. Set your configuration options with VK CONFIG
  8. VK BUILDUP
  9. VK REZIP (this will now archive your files into zips)
  10. Unzip your public viruses (VZ*.ZIP) in VFILES
  11. Make an AV scan of VFILES with AVP and FPROT
  12. VK BUILDUP ADD NOSHARE
  13. VK REZIP
  14. - files left in VFILES are undetected viruses.

An example batch is as follows:

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Command Line Parameters

4ME 4YOU HTML ALLSTAT ARCHIVE
AVPPACK AVPSTAT BROWSE BUILDUP CLEARSTATS
CHECK CONFIG DELETE EXTENSIONS FPPACK
FPSTAT GIVE GIVEYOU HELP HTML
HTMSTAT IDGIVE IGNORE NOID NOSHARE
NOZIPUNSCAN PSEUDO RAW REBUILD REINDEX
RENOBJ RESET REZIP SUMDTL SUMSTAT
UNSHARE UPDATE UPAVP UPFP VERSION
VGREP ZIPUNSCAN
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Files and directories used by Virus Keeper

All the data files in VirusKeeper are DBASE III format. They should be easy to read into any program that will import this format. The file are as follows: The directories are as follows:
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Examples

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Cost/Pricing

COST????

There is no cost for VirusKeeper. I started writing it to keep track of my virus collection. Then I decided to share it with others. As soon as I mentioned releasing it to others someone sent me over a thousand more viruses (thanks, dude!). That encouraged me to keep working and to start getting VK ready for release. If you like VirusKeeper and use it, would you please send me any viruses that I don't have? You can download my logs at http://wwww.virusexchange.org/tally/tlog.zip It isn't like paying for it because I'm not requiring it at all. But it encourages me to keep working and then you can try and convince me to change it! To all those who have sent me new viruses - Thank You! Also, please continue sending me feedback and bug reports. You have been very helpful in improving this program. Thanks!

At any rate, enjoy VirusKeeper and collect virii!

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Frequently Asked Questions