Computer Worms and Viruses

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Computer Worms and Viruses
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Computer Worms and Viruses (10:00)

Computer bugs are no mere prank. A disruption of global communications networks by today’s sophisticated worms and viruses is costing companies billions and can do lasting damage to the world’s economic health. This NewsHour program begins by defining these binary invaders and then examines the escalating security challenges of keeping networks free of infection. Members of the Computer Emergency Response Team at Carnegie Mellon University and other white hats discuss proactive ways to detect and then block electronic intruders through single-user protocols and enterprise-wide defenses. (10 minutes)

Destructive Power of Computer Viruses and Worms (03:35)
Damage from computer viruses and worms is expected to get worse. Viruses could interrupt electrical power systems, air traffic control systems, and telephone networks, to name a few. Viruses are e-mail-born. Worms travel through networks.

Internet "Tsunami Warning," Firewalls, and Other Protection Programs (05:02)
Viruses and worms are usually successful because of sloppy programming. Most vulnerabilities are foreseeable. A "Tsunami Warning" protection program would stop worms and viruses before they take over a system.