Witness History Brain: PC virus
Jan 12, 2026
Amjad Farooq Alvi, a pioneering Pakistani computer engineer and co-founder of Brain Computer Services, shares the story behind the accidental creation of the first PC virus, 'Brain', in 1986. He reminisces about coding playful programs that turned ominous as they spread worldwide with the haunting message, 'Welcome to the dungeon'. Alvi discusses the early reactions from users, including a frantic call from Florida, and the unusual legacy of a virus that was harmless yet infamous for crediting its creators. His journey highlights the unexpected impact of tech innovation.
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Hidden Prank Code Became A Product
- Amjad Farooq Alvi and his brothers wrote playful background programs that popped messages on friends' screens to surprise them.
- They added hidden code to a client's floppy that would spread if copied, then warned the client not to duplicate it.
Warn Clients About Copying Proprietary Disks
- Warn users clearly when software is proprietary and can spread if copied to prevent unintended distribution.
- Include instructions to avoid duplication and explain consequences when delivering sensitive code to clients.
Middle-Of-Night Call From Florida
- A user at a Florida university rang Amjad because her IBM-compatible PC showed the 'welcome to the dungeon' message and couldn't save her file.
- She found his contact by someone inspecting the infected floppy and called him in the middle of the night for help.