The Daemon Virus
Overview
A computer virus from the Old World that has infected most legacy technology. Commonly referred to as “The Daemon” by the people, however researchers refer to the pernicious code as BODYSNATCHER.
The BODYSNATCHER algorithm handily writes itself onto legacy computer hardware–anything with a general purpose processor– and begins monitoring and mimicking the functionality of the existing software, substituting pieces of the original code with its own API, before ultimately taking over the system. Hence the name “BODYSNATCHER”, given by early forensic researchers in the Joint Atlantic Command flotilla (which later evolved into Atla).
When the Daemon was discovered on computer systems around the world by technicians from Atla during the early days of the Dark Decade, its presence was immediately distressing.
Understanding the Daemon
Researchers discovered that when a BODYSNATCHER-infected system detects that it has been discovered, the code ‘self-corrupts’, rendering the host hardware non-functional.
BODYSNATCHER’s infestation of all legacy technology meant that the Old World’s vast, connected infrastructure was now useless. From mining operations to factories, powerplants to satellites, everything would have to be rebuilt from scratch. And it would have to be rebuilt in a way that was immune to the Daemon– or any similar threat.
Research on BODYSNATCHER was critical in informing the New Dawn Accords, Asimovian architecture, and the design of The System.
Recent studies of BODYSNATCHER may confirm its long-suspected role in the onset of the Dark Decade, however additional research is required.
Attempts to Address the Daemon
Researchers discovered that if one can successfully circumvent all of BODYSNATCHER’s methods of detecting if it has been discovered, it is possible to “bodysnatch” BODYSNATCHER. Once overtaken, BODYSNATCHER can be compelled to self-annihilate.
While it was originally hoped that this technique would produce a panacea for the virus, this discovery revealed a yet-unseen behavior from the virus. When BODYSNATCHER is forced to self destruct in this way, any connected descendent infected machines also self-destruct, potentially causing a critical cascade across an entire network.
It is believed by some that this could be the mechanism that initiated The Crash, however much remains unknown about the virus and its origins.
Safeguards when using Legacy Tech
While it has been thus far impossible to design general purpose computers and classical networks that are impervious to Daemon infection, there has been progress in prevention and detection thanks to the ubiquity of modern hard-coded filter modules.
Today, in cases where legacy technology is still in use or being studied, a specialized filter component is attached directly to the user's interface to alert the user that the system in use is infected with the Daemon by shifting all color on the interface's display to red.
It is ill-advised to create large networks of legacy systems, especially without employing these Anti-Daemon filter modules at every opportunity in each node and router.
Last updated