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Virdem
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<p>Virdem was the first file virus for <a href="/facts/MS-DOS/fVrrz1uN">MS-DOS</a>. It was written by Ralf Burger in 1986 as a demonstration program for the <a href="/facts/Chaos_Computer_Club/XwXLlA5F">Chaos Computer Club</a> conference. The virus spread by attaching itself to files with the .<a href="/facts/COM_file/3SXSyIxa">COM file</a> extension. It is one of the oldest MS-DOS viruses. </p><p>In December 1986, Burger distributed the virus at the <a href="/facts/Chaos_Computer_Club/XwXLlA5F">Chaos Computer Club</a> conference in <a href="/facts/Hamburg/kmAAsYtT">Hamburg, Germany</a>. The virus could copy itself and attach that copy to any .COM files. Virdem was fairly harmless as it announces its presence clearly. </p>