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In the 1980s, Bulgaria became a hotbed for computer viruses, with young Bulgarian programmers creating and spreading viruses to the West. Veselin Bonchev, a researcher at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, initially dismissed the fear of computer viruses as mass psychosis. However, when two men showed him a virus they had discovered and an antivirus program they had written, Bonchev became fascinated and horrified. He eventually resurrected the virus, known as Vienna, and analyzed its code. Other Bulgarian programmers, including Bonchev's friend Teodor Przewalski, also began experimenting with viruses. Przewalski created a virus called Eddie that infected files and played a sound when activated. These viruses, along with others, spread rapidly due to the prevalence of software piracy in Bulgaria. Bonchev, realizing the growing problem, began analyzing and publishing articles about new viruses. This inadvertently inspired more virus writers in Bulgaria. Dark Avenger, one of the most dangerous virus writers in the world, emerged during this time. Dark Avenger created destructive viruses, including Eddie and Dedicated, which caused significant damage to computer systems worldwide. Dark Avenger and Bonchev became bitter rivals, with Dark Avenger blaming Bonchev for the rise of virus writing in Bulgaria. Sarah Gordon, a virus researcher, corresponded with Dark Avenger and discovered that he had mixed motivations for writing viruses. He enjoyed the fame and power they brought him, but also felt resentment towards those who could afford computers and software. Dark Avenger's true identity remains unknown.