dcl9216.htm

Contaminated Computer Disks

DCL9216 April 23, 1992

TO ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

Dear Colleague:

We need to bring to your attention a problem that needs your immediate action. On March 27 and again on April 13 we mailed an updated Interstate Referral Guide (IRG) Package on floppy disks to the IRG contact person in your State. We have now learned that these disks may be have been contaminated with a computer virus know as "Stoned". To prevent the loss of data and the possibility of spreading the virus to other PCs and disks in your office, we are taking the following steps.

Staff from our office are contacting the IRG contact person in each State advising them of the possible problem. If you have not used the disks, please return them to our office immediately. If you have used the disks, contact our systems staff immediately and request that they scan both the hardware and any disks that have been used in that PC subsequent to loading the IRG software. If your office does not have the software necessary to disinfect your system, please contact Hope Butler at 202-40l-5685 who will refer you to our systems staff for assistance. Enclosed you will find some information on the "Stoned" virus that may be helpful for your systems staff.

As mentioned previously, while we cannot be certain that the virus was in the software mailed to your office, we believe it is in the best interest of everyone to take these precautions. We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Sincerely,

Allie Page Matthews

Deputy Director

Office of Child Support Enforcement

Enclosure

cc: ALL ACF Regional Administrators