A method, computer program product, and network data processing system for
identifying, locating, and deleting viruses is provided. In one
embodiment, the network data processing system includes a local server,
several client data processing systems, and a bait server. The address of
the bait server is not published to the clients. Thus, any attempt to
access the bait server would indicate the presence of a virus on the
client attempting access. The bait server monitors itself and, responsive
to an attempt from a client to access the bait server, broadcasts an
indication that a virus attack is underway to all devices within the
network. The bait server then ignores all further access requests by the
offending client until it receives an indication that the offending
client has been disinfected and directs the local server to disconnect
the offending client(s) from the network. The bait server also notifies
the local server and/or a network administrator of the problem and the
identity of the offending client allowing appropriate action to be
initiated to disinfect the offending client.