Logic bomb

A logic bomb is a heuristic computer virus that is used to execute malignant computer functions either upon command or when certain pre-defined conditions are met. Such bombs are loaded on computers without the users knowledge, or even consent depending on whether or not a flaw of the computer's operating system was exploited.

Given that the Cylons were created by the Colonials, it is assumed that logic bombs were first discovered and implemented by computer scientists.

Logic bombs in Galactica's computers

When Lt. Felix Gaeta establishes a computer network aboard Galactica in order to facilitate FTL navigational calculations, pieces of the Cylon virus work through every system's mainframe and rewrite code in Galactica's operational programs (Scattered). A version of this virus demonstrates its abilities after Galactica rediscovers the civilian Fleet, deactivating power throughout the ship (Valley of Darkness).

Initially, the crew thought it had eliminated the infection, but when, weeks later, computer malfunctions and equipment failures begin to surface, Gaeta is ordered to run diagnostics and review the source code of programs aboard the ship. William Adama orders that Karl Agathon be provided a printout of the source code of a suspected program to show Sharon Valerii for her review. Upon reading, Valerii offers her services to eradicate the virus, which is designed to remove human control of the battlestar.

Valerii isolates, ostensibly reprogrammed and resent the virus to the oncoming Cylon forces, disabling them and permitting the Viper defense to destroy the Cylon attack forces with impunity.

All traces of the logic bomb are removed when the hard drives of the battlestar are wiped, and the programs loaded from uninfected backups (Flight of the Phoenix).

External Links

• Logic bomb article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.