X

Readers' choice 2004: From TiVo to MyDoom

In 2004, stories that mattered most to readers covered viruses, Net surveillance and unexpected uses of everyday technology.

3 min read

In 2004, readers voted with their clicks on what stories mattered most--whether for hard news on viruses or lighter fare on unexpected uses of everyday technology. Here are the top stories on our site in 2004, in order of page views.

1. TiVo watchers uneasy after post-Super Bowl reports
Privacy concerns resurface after Janet Jackson's Super Bowl flash dance prompts TiVo to show off that it can tell what viewers are watching.
February 5, 2004

2. Gloomy forecast for MyDoom fallout
The virulent program ranks as the Net's fastest-spreading virus, but security firms warn that the code left behind on PCs could cause more chaos than the initial infection.
January 27, 2004

3. MSBlast suspect pleads guilty
The 19-year-old faces up to 37 months in prison after admitting to creating the "MSBlast.B" variant.
August 11, 2004

4. Security officials to spy on chat rooms
The CIA is quietly funding research into surveillance of chat rooms to help identify terrorists, News.com has learned.
November 24, 2004

5. New virus infects PCs, whacks SCO
A mass-mailing virus that has quickly spread around the Internet uses victims' computers to launch a massive denial-of-service attack on the controversial SCO Group.
January 26, 2004

6. Peeping Tom filter lets phones see through bikinis
A phone that lets you see through clothes is the stuff of teenage boys' dreams--and now a Japanese developer claims it's a reality.
October 25, 2004

7. Jackson's Super Bowl flash grabs TiVo users
The "wardrobe malfunction" that bared one of the pop diva's breasts during the Super Bowl halftime show was replayed a record number of times by TiVo users.
February 2, 2004

8. Blackout hits major Web sites
Denial-of-service attack rattles Akamai's Net service and knocks Yahoo, Google and others offline.
June 15, 2004

9. Cell phone hangs up on drunken dialers
Australian cell phone provider allows users to block access to specific numbers--before making drunken calls that they will regret.
November 30, 2004

10. Is the dust on your computer toxic?
A new study says computer dust contains traces of fire prevention compounds that have been shown in lab tests to present reproductive and neurological risks to animals.
June 3, 2004


In 2004, readers voted with their clicks on what stories mattered most--whether for hard news on viruses or lighter fare on unexpected uses of everyday technology. Here are the top stories on our site in 2004, in order of page views.

1. TiVo watchers uneasy after post-Super Bowl reports
Privacy concerns resurface after Janet Jackson's Super Bowl flash dance prompts TiVo to show off that it can tell what viewers are watching.
February 5, 2004

2. Gloomy forecast for MyDoom fallout
The virulent program ranks as the Net's fastest-spreading virus, but security firms warn that the code left behind on PCs could cause more chaos than the initial infection.
January 27, 2004

3. MSBlast suspect pleads guilty
The 19-year-old faces up to 37 months in prison after admitting to creating the "MSBlast.B" variant.
August 11, 2004

4. Security officials to spy on chat rooms
The CIA is quietly funding research into surveillance of chat rooms to help identify terrorists, News.com has learned.
November 24, 2004

5. New virus infects PCs, whacks SCO
A mass-mailing virus that has quickly spread around the Internet uses victims' computers to launch a massive denial-of-service attack on the controversial SCO Group.
January 26, 2004

6. Peeping Tom filter lets phones see through bikinis
A phone that lets you see through clothes is the stuff of teenage boys' dreams--and now a Japanese developer claims it's a reality.
October 25, 2004

7. Jackson's Super Bowl flash grabs TiVo users
The "wardrobe malfunction" that bared one of the pop diva's breasts during the Super Bowl halftime show was replayed a record number of times by TiVo users.
February 2, 2004

8. Blackout hits major Web sites
Denial-of-service attack rattles Akamai's Net service and knocks Yahoo, Google and others offline.
June 15, 2004

9. Cell phone hangs up on drunken dialers
Australian cell phone provider allows users to block access to specific numbers--before making drunken calls that they will regret.
November 30, 2004

10. Is the dust on your computer toxic?
A new study says computer dust contains traces of fire prevention compounds that have been shown in lab tests to present reproductive and neurological risks to animals.
June 3, 2004