[comp.doc] RFC1135 on the Internet Worm

jkrey@ISI.EDU (Joyce K. Reynolds) (12/14/89)

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	RFC 1135:

        Title:      The Helminthiasis of the Internet
       	Author:     J. Reynolds
	Mailbox:    jkrey@ISI.EDU
	Pages:      33
	Characters: 77,033

		pathname: RFC:RFC1135.TXT


	----- "The obscure we see eventually, the completely
	apparent takes longer." ----- Edward R. Murrow

This memo takes a look back at the helminthiasis (infestation with, or
disease caused by parasitic worms) of the Internet that was unleashed
the evening of 2 November 1988.  This RFC provides information about
an event that occurred in the life of the Internet.  This memo does
not specify any standard.

This document provides a glimpse at the infection, its festering, and
cure.  The impact of the worm on the Internet community, ethics
statements, the role of the news media, crime in the computer world,
and future prevention is discussed.  A documentation review presents
four publications that describe in detail this particular parasitic
computer program.  Reference and bibliography sections are also
included.

Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

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Joyce K. Reynolds