Turning Learners into Developers
The First Computer Virus: Creeper (1971)
The Creeper virus, created in 1971 by Bob Thomas, was the first known computer virus. It spread across ARPANET-connected mainframes, displaying the message, “I’m the creeper, catch me if you can!” without causing any damage to files or systems. While its direct impact was minimal, Creeper demonstrated that self-replicating programs were possible, leading to the creation of the first antivirus program, Reaper, and laying the foundation for modern cybersecurity awareness.
|
Year |
Name |
Country |
Originator |
Type |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1949 |
Von Neumann’s Theory |
USA |
John von Neumann |
Theory |
Concept only (no real-world impact); theoretical foundation for self-replicating programs. |
|
1971 |
Creeper |
USA |
Bob Thomas |
Virus |
First known computer virus; spread on ARPANET and displayed a message on infected systems. |
|
1982 |
Elk Cloner |
USA |
Rich Skrenta |
Virus |
First personal computer virus (Apple II); spread via floppy disks and displayed a poem. |
|
1986 |
Brain |
Pakistan |
Basit & Amjad Alvi |
Virus |
First IBM PC boot sector virus; spread through floppy disks; originally created to prevent piracy. |
|
1988 |
Morris Worm |
USA |
Robert Tappan Morris |
Worm |
First internet worm; caused major disruption to early internet systems. |
|
1991 |
Michelangelo |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Virus |
Boot sector virus activated on March 6; caused widespread panic in personal computers. |
|
1999 |
Melissa |
USA |
David L. Smith |
Virus |
Email macro virus; spread via infected Word documents, causing large-scale email disruptions. |
|
2000 |
ILOVEYOU |
Philippines |
Onel de Guzman |
Worm |
Email worm disguised as a love letter; caused massive global financial and system damage. |
|
2001 |
Code Red |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Worm |
Worm targeting Microsoft IIS servers; launched denial-of-service attacks against websites. |
|
2004 |
MyDoom |
Russia (suspected) |
Unknown |
Worm |
One of the fastest-spreading email worms; used for DDoS attacks and malware propagation. |
|
2010 |
Stuxnet |
USA & Israel (suspected) |
State-sponsored (suspected) |
Virus |
Highly sophisticated cyber weapon targeting industrial and nuclear control systems. |
|
2017 |
WannaCry |
North Korea (suspected) |
Lazarus Group (suspected) |
Ransomware |
Ransomware exploiting Windows EternalBlue vulnerability; affected hospitals and organizations worldwide. |
|
2020 |
Ryuk |
Russia (Wizard Spider group) |
Wizard Spider |
Ransomware |
Ransomware targeting hospitals, schools, newspapers, and enterprises in the US & Europe; demanded large ransoms. |
- What is Virus?
A computer virus is a type of malicious software program that attaches itself to files or programs and spreads from one computer to another. It can damage files, slow down systems, or disrupt operations, often requiring user action (like opening an infected file) to propagate.
- What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is malicious software that locks or encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom to restore access. It spreads via emails, malicious links, or software vulnerabilities and can cause severe financial and operational damage.
- What is Worm?
A computer worm is a type of malware that spreads automatically across networks without needing a host file or user action. Unlike viruses, worms can replicate themselves independently, often exploiting security vulnerabilities, and can cause network slowdowns, system crashes, or deliver other malicious payloads.
