I don't want to start the old virus flame war again, but let me just
point out that even just replication itself _is_ damage. In order to
"work" as desired, a virus has to modify existing programs (for a
broad range of the definition of "programs", e.g. including boot
loaders etc). There are always programs where modification == damage.
Imagine the (desirable) OS where every executable has a secure
checksum stored somewhere else in a high-security area.
Even just the additional resources taken by the replication constitute
damage.
Personally, I view people who call themselves "ethical virus writers"
with suspicion.
olaf
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