Summary
This is a stealth boot sector virus. Unlike most other boot sector viruses, RP does not decrease the total amount of DOS memory; instead it decreases the amount of free memory.
Removal
Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.
A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:
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Check for the latest database updates
First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.
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Submit a sample
After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.
Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.
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Exclude a file from further scanning
If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.
Technical Details
RP activates on the 17th of December. When the machine is booted on that date, the virus decrypts a message, switches the display to 40 column mode and displays the following text:
RP wants to say hello!
After this, the virus overwrites part of the hard drive, making the machine unbootable.
The virus is buggy and often crashes when infecting a floppy. RP was reported to be in the wild in Hungary and Denmark in January 1996.