# Cheng Ing Hau
**Wikidata**: [Q718391](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q718391)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cheng-ing-hau

## Summary
Cheng Ing Hau is a Taiwanese computer scientist born August 25, 1975, in Cishan District, Taiwan. He is best known as the creator of the CIH virus, one of the most destructive computer viruses in history. He studied at and is affiliated with Tatung University in Taipei, Taiwan.

## Biography
- Born: August 25, 1975 in Cishan District, Taiwan
- Nationality: Taiwanese
- Education: Tatung University
- Occupation: Computer scientist
- Employer(s): Tatung University (affiliated)
- Field(s): Computer science

## Contributions
Cheng Ing Hau's most significant contribution to computer science was the creation of the CIH virus, which became one of the most notorious malware programs in computing history. The virus, also known as the Chernobyl virus, was particularly destructive as it could overwrite critical system files and even flash BIOS chips, rendering computers unbootable. The virus spread widely in the late 1990s and early 2000s, causing extensive damage to computer systems worldwide. As a computer scientist affiliated with Tatung University, his technical expertise enabled him to create malware that exploited fundamental system vulnerabilities. The CIH virus became infamous for its payload that activated on April 26th each year, overwriting hard drive data and potentially damaging hardware components. His work in creating this virus demonstrated both advanced programming capabilities and the potential for malicious software to cause widespread technological and economic damage.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Cheng Ing Hau famous for creating?
A: Cheng Ing Hau is famous for creating the CIH virus, also known as the Chernobyl virus, one of the most destructive computer viruses in history that could overwrite system files and damage computer hardware.

### Q: Where did Cheng Ing Hau study?
A: Cheng Ing Hau studied at Tatung University in Taipei, Taiwan, where he developed his expertise in computer science.

### Q: When was Cheng Ing Hau born?
A: Cheng Ing Hau was born on August 25, 1975, in Cishan District, Taiwan.

## Why They Matter
Cheng Ing Hau matters significantly in the field of cybersecurity as the creator of the CIH virus, which fundamentally changed how the computing industry approached malware defense and system security. His virus demonstrated unprecedented destructive capabilities by targeting not just files but also hardware components like BIOS chips, forcing manufacturers and security professionals to develop more robust protection mechanisms. The widespread damage caused by CIH in the late 1990s and early 2000s led to improved antivirus technologies, better system recovery procedures, and enhanced awareness of malware threats among both individual users and organizations. His work inadvertently contributed to the advancement of computer security practices, as the industry had to evolve rapidly to counter such sophisticated threats. The legacy of the CIH virus continues to influence modern cybersecurity strategies, serving as a historical example of the potential for malware to cause both digital and physical damage to computing infrastructure.

## Notable For
• Created the CIH virus, one of the most destructive computer viruses in history
• Affiliation with Tatung University in Taipei, Taiwan as a computer scientist
• Technical innovation in malware that targeted both software and hardware components
• Birth in Cishan District, Taiwan on August 25, 1975
• International recognition through Wikipedia articles in multiple languages (ca, de, fr, ja, ko, ru, zh)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Cheng Ing Hau was born on August 25, 1975, in Cishan District, Taiwan. He pursued higher education at Tatung University, a private institution established in 1956 in Taipei, Taiwan. The university employs 134 staff members as of 2022 and has been a significant educational institution in Taiwan's academic landscape.

### Professional Identity
As a computer scientist, Cheng Ing Hau specialized in areas of computer science that enabled him to develop sophisticated malware. His expertise encompassed system-level programming and understanding of low-level computer operations, which were essential for creating the CIH virus.

### The CIH Virus Legacy
The CIH virus, also known as the Chernobyl virus, became Cheng Ing Hau's most recognized work. This malware was particularly dangerous because it could overwrite critical system files and corrupt BIOS chips, making infected computers unbootable. The virus activated annually on April 26th, causing widespread damage to computer systems globally during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

### Academic Affiliation
Cheng Ing Hau maintains affiliation with Tatung University, where he is recognized as a computer scientist. An image from August 8, 2020, shows him speaking at an annual IT student meeting at the Central Research Academy's International Conference Hall, demonstrating his continued involvement in the technology community.

### Recognition and Documentation
Cheng Ing Hau appears in seven different language versions of Wikipedia (Catalan, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Chinese), indicating international awareness of his work. His Freebase ID is /m/032rz_, and he is documented in various knowledge bases with a sitelink count of 7 across different platforms.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013