Main content

Brain: The first personal computer virus

The first virus for personal computers was named 'Brain' in 1986. 'Brain' was an accidental virus that spread around the world.

'Welcome to the dungeon' was the message that flashed up on computer screens in 1986.

This was thought to be the first virus for personal computers and became known as 'Brain'.

'Brain' spread around the world and became infamous when it was featured in newspapers and magazines.

Amjad Farooq Alvi tells Gill Kearsley how he and his brother, Basit, came to develop this accidental virus from their shop in Lahore, Pakistan.

(Photo: The 'Brain' computer virus. Credit: Amjad and Basit Alvi)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Wed 26 Jul 2023 02:50GMT
大象传媒 World Service

More episodes

Previous

Escaping the Nazis in Greece

Next

The Pope鈥檚 controversial Nicaragua visit

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Tue 25 Jul 2023 07:50GMT
    大象传媒 World Service
  • Tue 25 Jul 2023 11:50GMT
    大象传媒 World Service
  • Tue 25 Jul 2023 17:50GMT
    大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Tue 25 Jul 2023 21:50GMT
    大象传媒 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Wed 26 Jul 2023 02:50GMT
    大象传媒 World Service

Featured in...

Podcast