On July 16, 2001, vulnerabilities in the Windows Internet
Information Services Server (IIS) made media headlines when the
computer worms Code Red I and later Code Red II propagated
within hours of each other and moved rapidly across the
Internet, taking over every vulnerable computer on the Internet.
By definition, a worm is a virus-like program that spreads from
one computer to another without human intervention. Code Red II
was especially dangerous because it altered approximately
100,000 Windows NT and Windows 2000 Web servers on the Internet
and PCs, permitting any unauthorized user to log onto them and
exercise total control. As of August 10, 2001, Symantec Security
Response created a tool to perform a vulnerability assessment of
computers and to remove both Code Red I and II. Malware;
Vulnerabilities of Computers; Worm. Symantec Security Response.
CodeRed Worm. [Online, July 29, 2001.] Symantec Security
Response Website.