All executable files are susceptible to virus infection, and since self-extractors are executable files, they are susceptible to virus infection, as well.Īn executable file can become infected with a virus such as CIH in at least three ways: Rather, the problem is that the self-extractor you're trying to run may have been infected with this virus. This is not a problem in the WinZip or WinZip Self-Extractor applications distributed by WinZip Computing. This virus has been reported in a large number of executable files, including self-extracting Zip files created using WinZip Self-Extractor. Other names for this virus include 'W95.CIH', 'Chernobyl', and 'Spacefiller'. In mid-1998, a new virus named CIH was released (it first showed up in Taiwan in June, 1998). If, however, repeated attempts to download the file do not result in a good copy, your computer may be infected by a virus. Normally, downloading the file again resolves the problem. zip files, as well) is that an error has been introduced into the file during download (e.g., by phone line noise). The described virus has not been reported for years.įrequently, the problem with corrupted self-extractors (and corrupted. This article is being maintained as archived information.