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As a result of the panic caused by the Datacrime, or Columbus Day, virus, a new approach to the computer virus problem has been developed. Previous programs had a number of special preventive features, including: 1. requiring the user to specify which programs could be run on the microcomputer, 2. obtaining a checksum for each executable program, and 3. searching for entering viruses as a TSR (terminate and stay resident) program. The new programs, particularly VCHECKER and PATMAT, allow users to update their virus scanners. Using a text file that contains the signatures of different viruses, these scan programs allow users to use any text editor to update a virus list, thereby eliminating the need to wait for the product producer to send out a revised version of the scan program. The availability of efficient scan programs may alter the approach to daily operations of a virus-free microcomputer.