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and a place where everything is permitted!’ It also doesn't ask too many questions of its callers: ‘Handles or aliases are allowed!’

Todorov built up a large collection of viruses after callers learned of his exchange procedures. ‘If you want to download viruses from this BBS, just upload to us at least 1 virus which we don't already have. Then you will be given access to the virus area, where you can find many live viruses, documented disassemblies, virus descriptions, and original virus source copies! If you cannot upload to us a virus, just ask the Sysop [system operator] and he will decide if he will give you some viruses.’⁸

The Dark Avenger made his first call on 28 November 1990, four weeks after the bulletin board was set up. ‘I'm glad to see this BBS is running,’ he messaged Todorov. ‘I've uploaded a couple of viruses to you. I hope you will give me access to the virus area.’ To which Todorov replied: ‘Thank you for the upload. Your security level has been upgraded . . . and you have access to the virus area now. If you find any other viruses, please upload them here.’

When it was learned that the Dark Avenger frequented Todorov's bulletin board, other users began leaving messages for him. ‘Hi Dark Avenger! Where have you learned programming? And what does “Eddie lives” mean? And who is “Diana P.”? Is she your girlfriend or what . . . ?’ The queries were from Yves P., a French virus writer. Free Raider posted his salute on 9 December: ‘Hi, brilliant virus writer.’ ‘Hi, I'm the Sysop of InnerSoft BBS,’ announced Mike D. ‘Should I consider my BBS not popular because you don't like to call it? Please give it a call.’

The messages from his fans reflected the Dark Avenger's new status: he had become a star. In the two years since he created Eddie he had become the computer underworld's most notorious virus writer. He had established a brand identity: the Dark Avenger's viruses were known to be the most destructive and among the best engineered that had ever been seen. His fame, as he knew, had spread throughout Europe and to North America as well.

So it's not surprising that he wanted to be treated like the star he was, and reacted badly to criticism. In March 1991 he contacted Fidonet, the international bulletin board network: ‘Hello, all anti-virus “researchers” who are reading this message . . . I am glad to

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