jkrey@ISI.EDU (Joyce K. Reynolds) (12/14/89)
A new Request for Comments is now available from the Network Information Center in the online library at NIC.DDN.MIL. 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. RFCs can be obtained via FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL, with the pathname RFC:RFCnnnn.TXT (where "nnnn" refers to the number of the RFC). Login with FTP, username ANONYMOUS and password GUEST. The NIC also provides an automatic mail service for those sites which cannot use FTP. Address the request to SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL and in the subject field of the message indicate the RFC number, as in "Subject: RFC nnnn". Requests for special distribution should be addressed to either the author of the RFC in question, or to NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL. Unless specifically noted otherwise on the RFC itself, all RFCs are for unlimited distribution. Submissions for Requests for Comments should be sent to POSTEL@ISI.EDU. Requests to be added to or deleted from this distribution list should be sent to RFC-REQUEST@NIC.DDN.MIL. Joyce K. Reynolds