Word: computerizes
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Morris, 23, who is on a leave of absence from Cornell's doctoral program in computer science, declined to be interviewed by the commission, which was left to speculate as to the reasons Morris created the "worm."
Technically, the program was not a "virus," which inserts itself into a host program to propagate; it was actually a "worm," or an independent program that endlessly duplicates itself once placed in a computer system.
Morris had been known for his playful pranks at Harvard and continued to have computer access at Aiken after working there last summer. Morris also reportedly telephoned the two Aiken workers in a panic the night the computer program was released.
The Cornell panel rejected the idea that Morris created the worm to point out the need for greater computer security.
The report said computer science professionalsseem to favor "strong disciplinary measures," butthe commission said they "should not be so sternas to damage permanently the perpetrator'scareer."