Introduction

Introduction

The year 2001 should be named The Year of the Worm the computer worm. Despite its name, a computer worm is much like a replicating, resource-starving virus that can bring down even the largest of computer systems. As defined by www.webopedia.com, a worm is:

A program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer network and usually performs malicious actions, such as using up the computer's resources and possibly shutting the system down. Also see virus.

Ever since Robert Tappan Morris unleashed the first worm on the Internet in 1988, the cyberworld hasn't been the same. The Morris worm, as it has been called, was caused by a "programming error that got out of control" and effectively replicated itself across the Internet, overwhelming systems' resources and eventually bringing them down.

Traditionally, a worm's purpose has been singular: to bring down computer systems. But a worm can do much more. To today's Internet defenders, the Morris worm seems like child's play.

 



Web Hacking(c) Attacks and Defense
Web Hacking: Attacks and Defense
ISBN: 0201761769
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 156

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