Recently, on social media, BKAV CEO Nguyễn Tử Quảng and Bfan community members reminisced about a past event. Specifically, in November 1998, 23 years ago, Quảng and his colleagues at Hanoi University of Science and Technology helped stop a dangerous computer virus that aimed to wipe data.
According to a report shared by journalist Nguyễn Hữu Hưng (currently working at Vietnam Television), a year earlier, on November 25, 1997, many computers in Vietnam had their data erased by a virus called “Date.” Since this virus was either old or not widely known, there’s little information available about it. However, the report shows that “Date” would delete all user data every November 25.
This virus caused serious problems for several organizations in Vietnam, including offices, post offices, and banks. At one law office interviewed, the data lost to the virus was equivalent to the work of 10 people over two years.
To prevent this from happening again in 1998, Nguyễn Tử Quảng (then still working at Hanoi University of Science and Technology) appeared on VTV’s Morning News to warn the public about the virus.
“I can confirm that this year, some computers were still damaged on November 25 because every day we receive virus samples from across the country and the Date virus samples keep appearing. We also get emails and calls with questions related to the Date virus,” said Nguyễn Tử Quảng, who was just 23 years old at the time, on the news.
After analyzing the virus code, Quảng was certain the Date virus would delete user data on November 25. But when making this statement on TV, the BKAV CEO was still nervous. If for some reason the virus didn’t wipe data, it would hurt both the news team’s reputation and his own.
“Even the news agency leaders who approved the broadcast were skeptical. If nothing happened, it would be seen as false reporting. I also had my doubts. But with my years of experience analyzing viruses, I was confident my findings were correct. Still, if it didn’t happen, I would lose the credibility I had built after years of serving the community,” wrote journalist Hữu Hưng in a post on the Bphone Fans Club group.
“When I issued the warning, I was SURE it would happen but still nervous. Society also DOUBTED if this would actually occur. The next day, many organizations and businesses had their data ERASED. Meanwhile, some avoided damage thanks to that news report. For anything BENEFICIAL TO SOCIETY with scientific basis, even if it brings some personal disadvantage or criticism, I’m willing to accept it,” Nguyễn Tử Quảng shared on social media.
To prevent data loss from the Date virus, the simplest and most effective method was to change the system date to another day (for example, November 26). Then users could run antivirus programs like BKAV or D32, which were free at the time.
