VirusMD: Battling Apple II Viruses in the Late ’80s

Long before modern antivirus software became ubiquitous, Apple II users faced their own digital threats. VirusMD was one of the few dedicated tools designed to detect and remove Apple II viruses, offering peace of mind to users in an era when malware was still a relatively new concern.

See this article documenting viruses that hit the Apple II for more history.

What Was VirusMD?

VirusMD scanned Apple II disks for known viruses, repaired infected files, and even fixed volume directory damage caused by malware. Additionally, it could update boot blocks that had been tampered with by malicious software. It was a simple but effective safeguard for a system that, at the time, did not typically require widespread virus protection like today.

Two Versions

The VirusMD disk came with two versions: a simple Applesoft program that ran on any Apple II series computer, and a IIGS-only version that sported a MouseText-character user interface. This text-only UI, inspired by programs like AppleWorks and MouseTalk was provided by QuickText, a software library I was developing.

Recognition and a Writing Opportunity

In 1989, VirusMD opened an unexpected door—I was invited to write an article about computer viruses for A+ Magazine, a leading Apple-focused publication at the time. Writing that article was both exciting and nerve-wracking, as I didn’t consider myself an expert in computer security. However, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

One particularly memorable comment came from a reader in comp.sys.apple2, an early online discussion group:

“As a professional in the computer security game, I’d like to publicly compliment Morgan Davis on his article in the recent A+ on viruses. It is both well-written and technically accurate.”

That validation meant a lot, especially in an era when computer security knowledge was still evolving.

VirusMD was a small but meaningful contribution to Apple II computing, helping users protect their disks from early viruses at a time when security solutions were scarce. Looking back, it’s a reminder of how software evolved alongside the threats it was designed to combat.

Released for $19.95, VirusMD included versions for both 8-bit Apple II computers and the Apple IIGS, ensuring broad compatibility for Apple users of the day.

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