On this day, November 2, 1988, the first internet worm, known as the Morris Worm, was released from an MIT network by Cornell student Robert Tappan Morris. The worm spread rapidly across connected networks, causing widespread disruptions and highlighting vulnerabilities in internet security. Robert Tappan Morris, son of NSA cryptographer Robert Morris, inadvertently made history by creating this infamous worm.
Did you know? The Morris Worm led to the first felony conviction in the U.S. under the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Morris was sentenced to three years of probation for his actions, marking a pivotal moment in the history of cybersecurity.
Who remembers hearing about the Morris Worm? Did this event raise your awareness about internet security?