Introduction
The internet is a vast space that offers endless possibilities. It connects people from all over the world and has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information. However, with this great power comes the potential for great harm. One man who experienced the dark side of the internet is Robert Tappan Morris. In 1988, he became the first person to be convicted of a felony for unleashing a computer worm, which severely damaged the fledgling internet. In this blog post, we will explore the life and legacy of this infamous individual and see how his actions continue to impact the online world today.
Early Life
Robert Tappan Morris was born on November 8, 1965, in New Haven, Connecticut. His father, Robert Morris Sr., was a computer scientist who worked at Bell Labs. Growing up, Morris Jr. showed an aptitude for computers and programming and went on to attend Harvard University, where he received undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science, earning a Ph.D. in 1999.
The Worm Attack
On November 2, 1988, Morris launched a self-replicating computer worm that quickly spread through the internet, infecting thousands of computers and causing widespread disruption. The worm was designed to exploit a vulnerability in the Unix operating system, and its behavior was difficult to predict, causing many systems to crash or slow down to a crawl. The internet was still in its early stages, and the worm’s impact was significant, with some estimates putting the cost of the damage at up to ten million dollars.
The Trial and Conviction
After the worm attack, Morris was indicted on charges of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, which made it a crime to access a computer without authorization or to cause damage to computer systems. Morris’s trial was highly publicized, and he became the first person to be convicted of a felony under the new law. He was sentenced to three years of probation, 400 hours of community service, and a fine of $10,500.
Life After the Worm
After serving his probation, Morris went on to have a successful career in academia and industry. He worked at several universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, and co-founded several companies, including Viaweb, which developed the first online store platform. However, the worm attack continued to haunt Morris, and he avoided discussing it publicly for many years.
The Legacy of the Worm
The worm attack was a wake-up call for the internet and highlighted the need for better security and regulation. The incident led to the creation of the first Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and spurred the development of new security protocols and technologies. Today, cyber attacks are a constant threat, and the lessons learned from Morris’s worm attack continue to inform and shape the internet’s security landscape.
FAQs
Q: What is a computer worm?
A: A computer worm is a malicious software program that spreads through computer networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in a system’s security.
Q: What damage did Morris’s worm cause?
A: Morris’s worm caused widespread disruption and slowed down or crashed many computer systems. Some estimates put the damage caused by the worm at up to ten million dollars.
Q: What is the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986?
A: The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 is a federal law that makes it illegal to access a computer without authorization or to cause damage to computer systems.
Q: What was Morris’s sentence?
A: Morris was sentenced to three years of probation, 400 hours of community service, and a fine of $10,500.
Q: What is a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)?
A: A Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a group of experts who respond to and mitigate cyber attacks and other computer security incidents.
Conclusion
The story of Robert Tappan Morris is a cautionary tale about the potential for harm in the online world. His actions had far-reaching consequences that echo to this day, illustrating the need for better security and regulation. As we continue to rely on the internet for communication, commerce, and entertainment, we must remain vigilant against cyber threats and work together to ensure a safe and secure digital future.