The Story of the World’s First Computer Virus and Its Pakistani Creators

Discover the fascinating story of Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, the two Pakistani brothers who created the world’s first computer virus, Brain.A, in 1986. Learn how this “friendly” virus changed the world of cybersecurity forever.

Introduction

In the realm of cybersecurity, viruses are often associated with destruction, data breaches, and chaos. However, did you know that the very first computer virus was not designed to cause harm but rather to protect intellectual property? Meet Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, two Pakistani brothers who, in January 1986, created the world’s first computer virus, Brain.A. What started as a means to prevent software piracy soon became a global phenomenon, setting the stage for modern cybersecurity challenges.

Who Were Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi?

Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi were two young tech enthusiasts from Lahore, Pakistan, originally from Shakargarh. In the mid-1980s, they ran a small computer shop that specialized in selling and developing software. Their expertise in computing led them to create Brain.A, a virus that would become the first of its kind.

The Birth of Brain.A – The World’s First Computer Virus

Why Was Brain.A Created?

The motivation behind Brain.A was not to damage computers but to track software piracy. The Alvi brothers developed custom software, but they soon realized that users were illegally copying and distributing their programs. To counteract this, they designed Brain.A as a way to monitor and restrict unauthorized copying.

How Did Brain.A Work?

Brain.A was a boot sector virus that infected MS-DOS operating systems via 5.25-inch floppy disks. When an infected disk was inserted into a computer, the virus would take over the boot sector, slowing down the floppy drive but leaving the hard disk unaffected. This made it difficult for users to recognize that their system was compromised.

Interestingly, the virus was not designed to be malicious. Instead, it contained a message with the Alvi brothers’ names, phone numbers, and addresses, encouraging users to contact them for virus removal.

The Global Spread of Brain.A

Brain.A quickly spread beyond Pakistan, infecting computers in the United States and Europe. This happened when American tourists purchased infected floppy disks and unknowingly carried the virus back home. As the virus proliferated, the Alvi brothers received numerous calls from worried users worldwide, asking for help in removing the infection.

The Ethical Debate: Was Brain.A Really a Virus?

While Brain.A is classified as the world’s first computer virus, it lacked the destructive intent that characterizes most malware today. Instead of stealing data or damaging systems, it served as an anti-piracy mechanism. This raises the question: should Brain.A be considered a virus or an early form of digital rights management (DRM)?

What Happened to the Alvi Brothers?

Unlike modern hackers who face legal consequences, the Alvi brothers were never prosecuted for creating Brain.A. Instead, they shifted their focus toward developing internet services. Today, they run Brain Net, one of Pakistan’s largest internet service providers (ISPs), serving over 350 cities and expanding into the Middle East.

The Evolution of Computer Viruses

While Brain.A was relatively harmless, it paved the way for more sophisticated and malicious viruses. Over the years, cyber threats have evolved significantly, with some of the most notorious viruses including:

1. ILOVEYOU Virus (2000)

• Spread through email attachments disguised as love letters.
• Overwrote multimedia files and sent copies to the victim’s contact list.
• Caused an estimated $8.7 billion in damages and affected over 45 million computers.

2. Mydoom (2004)

• One of the fastest-spreading email worms.
• Created backdoors in infected computers, allowing hackers to control systems remotely.
• Estimated to have caused $38 billion in damages.

3. WannaCry (2017)

• A ransomware attack targeting Windows computers.
• Encrypted files and demanded Bitcoin payments for decryption.
• Affected hospitals, businesses, and individuals worldwide.

How Can We Protect Ourselves from Viruses Today?

With the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks, it’s essential to adopt robust cybersecurity measures. Here are some tips to stay protected:

• Use reliable antivirus software to detect and eliminate threats.
• Keep software and operating systems updated to patch vulnerabilities.
• Avoid downloading files from untrusted sources or clicking on suspicious email links.
• Back up important data regularly to prevent data loss in case of an attack.

FAQs

1. Was Brain.A a malicious virus?

No, Brain.A was not designed to cause harm. It was created to track and prevent software piracy, making it more of an anti-piracy tool than a typical malicious virus.

2. How did Brain.A spread worldwide?

Brain.A spread globally when infected floppy disks were taken abroad by tourists and used in computers across different countries.

3. What do the Alvi brothers do today?

Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi now run Brain Net, a leading internet service provider in Pakistan.

4. Why is Brain.A considered the first computer virus?

Although Brain.A was not created to be harmful, it is classified as the first virus because it self-replicated and spread via infected floppy disks.

5. What was the impact of Brain.A?

Brain.A did not cause significant damage but introduced the world to the concept of self-replicating software, influencing the evolution of cybersecurity.

Conclusion

The creation of Brain.A by the Alvi brothers marked the beginning of a new era in computing. What started as a “friendly” attempt to prevent software piracy inadvertently laid the foundation for modern-day cyber threats. While Brain.A itself was not malicious, it opened the doors to the world of computer viruses, leading to the development of both harmful malware and advanced cybersecurity defenses.

The story of Brain.A reminds us that technology, even with good intentions, can have unintended consequences. As we continue to innovate, the lessons from the past should guide us toward a safer and more secure digital future.

Source:

1. https://campaigns.f-secure.com/brain/virus.html

2. http://www.cknow.com/cms/vtutor/chapter-7-c-brain.html