In the modern age, technology has become an indispensable aspect of our daily lives, but with technological advancements come new challenges. One such challenge is the emergence of computer viruses that can cripple entire systems and networks. While computer viruses are now commonly known as a global problem, uncovering their origins and the first-ever computer virus in one’s own country can be just as intriguing.
In the Philippines, the first-ever recorded computer virus was known as “Prelude.” It was created in 1992 by a group of Filipino hackers who were seeking to improve their programming skills. The virus was distributed by floppy disk, which was a popular way to share software at the time.
Prelude infected files with an extension of .COM and .EXE, and its payload was to display a message that read, “Your computer has been stoned! Legalize Marijuana!” This message was a nod to the famous “Marijuana virus” that had infected computers in America a year earlier.
Interestingly, the hackers who created this virus were not motivated by money or fame. Instead, they were driven purely by a desire to improve their programming skills. In fact, they did not intend for Prelude to be destructive at all, but rather wanted it to be more of an educational tool.
Despite their intentions, the Prelude virus still caused widespread panic among Filipino computer users. Because the internet was not yet a household commodity in the Philippines, the virus spread slowly but surely through floppy disks that were shared between computers.
In response, the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT) was formed in 1996, which aimed to provide cybersecurity for Filipino computer users. Today, PH-CERT is still in operation, and its mission is more critical than ever before.
In conclusion, the Prelude virus was the first-ever computer virus discovered in the Philippines, and despite its creators’ good intentions, it caused widespread panic and highlighted the need for better cybersecurity practices. The event served as a wake-up call for the Philippines to pay more attention to its cybersecurity preparedness, which is a lesson that is just as relevant today as it was in 1992.
