Think chaos!

The worm slowed systems

Experts left scratching heads

In '88, a tiny code reshaped the web

Hold your hats, this is a tale you won't believe

The Morris Worm

A student named Robert Morris made the Morris Worm when he was at Cornell University. This worm was like a computer program designed to move from one computer to another through the internet. When it got into a computer, it copied itself and sent more copies to other computers on the internet.

It was supposed to move around, make copies, but not really cause any trouble. Sadly, a tiny mistake in the code changed everything. Instead of just making a few copies, the worm went out of control, slowing down the computers it got into.

As it spread, the Morris Worm caused a lot of problems. It jammed up systems, making them slow and not work well. Expert were confused, trying to figure out what was happening.

After the Morris Worm incident, the internet community worked to make things safer. They built walls called firewalls to stop unauthorized entry to computers. Also, companies that make computer programs started sending out updates to fix problems and make things more secure.

Key Points:

→ Morris faced three years' probation, 400 hours of community service, and a fine of $10,050.
→ Post-incident, He completed his Ph.D. and co-founded Viaweb and Y Combinator.
→ The total cost of the chaos was between $100,000 and $10,000,000.
→ The worm infected 6,000 to 60,000 computers, making a big impact.
→ The Morris Worm got its name from its creator and was also called the "Great Worm of 1988".