First dotNET virus

Thanks VID Assistant for emailing us :D

Donut is the first known virus implemented in the Microsoft C# and Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL). It targets binary files under Microsoft .NET architecture.

Sample of this virus was posted by the virus author directly to several anti-virus companies on January 9th, 2002.

The virus itself is very simple and will never become a real-world problem.

The Donut virus is 8kB long. When executed, it infects all other .NET executables with .EXE extension in the current directory and directories above it.

It doesn't stay in memory and will only spread further if an infected file is executed again. The first fully .NET compliant operating system from Microsoft, known as 'Blackcomb', is estimated to ship in 2003. Donut has not been found in the wild. It is not considered to pose any threat at the moment. Nevertheless, it's the first virus of its kind.

Screenshot: Infected cell (F-Secure)