MSBlast echoes across the Net

The latest worm to torment Internet users underscores the limitations of getting patches in place.

In just 24 hours, "MSBlast" exploded onto some 120,000 computers around the world, in spite of what some experts say was a less-than-spectacular programming job. A big part of the problem was that inattentive home users, and overbooked IT staffs, hadn't been able to put a patch in place, even though Microsoft had made it available in July. The Web will be watching over the weekend to see if Microsoft can dodge a denial-of-service attack expected to be launched by the worm.

Network operators: Worm still squirming
Earlier reports that network traffic caused by the MSBlast worm dropped 30 percent to 40 percent may not mean that the worm is slowing, a major provider of network services says.
August 15, 2003

Microsoft kills Net address to foil worm
The software giant eliminates the Windowsupdate.com address that the self-propagating MSBlast worm was set to attack.
August 15, 2003

Squashing the next worm
Another worm, another epidemic. Can companies find ways to halt the spread of self-propagating code?
August 15, 2003

Cleanup dampens Blaster worm
The MSBlast worm's infection rate is slowing as people and businesses disinfect compromised computers, say antivirus companies--though not everyone agrees it's all over yet.
August 14, 2003

Microsoft prepares to be Blasted
The giant hopes to be ready when hundreds of thousands of computers infected with the MSBlast worm start pelting its Windows Update service with data requests on midnight Friday.
August 13, 2003

Users race against worm, variants
As the "MSBlast" worm spreads to about 2,500 new computers per hour, antivirus firms say a new variant has been released and that patching is crucial.
August 13, 2003

Slapdash monster roams the Net
The latest threat to hit the Internet is a compilation of programs cobbled together to do a single job: spread far and wide.
August 13, 2003

Worm's spread shows holes in patch system
"MSBlast" supports the view that patches, while necessary to increase the security of specific computers, can't be relied upon to protect large networks.
August 12, 2003

IT hustle mutes impact
The "MSBlast" worm is forcing information technology staffs to work overtime, but the damage to systems and networks seems to be somewhat contained, at least in the working world.
August 12, 2003

'MSBlast' widespread but slowing
update The worm infects as many as 120,000 computers in 24 hours, but its pace drops off because of poor programming, security researchers say Tuesday.
August 12, 2003

Viruses, hackers hit a third of Net users
Almost one in every three surfers in the United States has been hit by either a computer virus or a hacker in the past two years, a new survey says.
August 12, 2003

Here we go again
perspectives CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says that after two decades' worth of Swiss cheese software security, the world's biggest supplier of operating system software has run out of excuses.
August 12, 2003

Flaw in Windows worm tips off defenders
update The fast-spreading "MSBlast" worm seems to be crashing as many Windows computers as it's infecting--a sign that administrators need to patch their systems.
August 11, 2003

Windows worm starts its spread
A worm that takes advantage of what some security experts have called the most widespread Windows flaw ever has started spreading, fulfilling the predictions of many researchers.
August 11, 2003