SAN DIEGO – The so-called SQL Slammer worm that snarled the Internet recently is a type that confirmed what some computer scientists had been fearing: the development of viruses and worms that can shut down the World Wide Web with alarming speed. According to a report from a government-sponsored think tank – the Cooperative Association for Internet Data Analysis – the worm’s infection rate doubled in size every 8.5 seconds after it first appeared on Jan. 25, and reached the full rate at which it was scanning for vulnerable computers, at more than 55 million scans per second, after about three minutes. That put it into the realm of what theorists have dubbed the “Warhol worm,” or one that could infect the entire Internet in 15 minutes. (Pop culture icon Andy Warhol created the notion that everyone will get their “15 minutes of fame” once in their lives.) Hundreds of thousands of computers were affected globally, and the outbreak even snarled some ATM networks, most notably Bank of America’s. CUNA Network Services said the Internet backbone provider it uses to host credit union sites also was affected for a time over that weekend. “The novel feature of this worm, compared to all the other worms we’ve studied, is its incredible speed: it flooded the Internet with copies of itself so aggressively that it basically clogged the available bandwidth and interfered with its own growth,” said David Moore, an Internet researcher at the CAIDA in the San Diego Supercomputer Center. The worm exploited a known vulnerability in Microsoft SQL servers used for database management, and MSDE 2000, a mini version of SQL for desktop use. The patch had been available since last summer but was not installed in many locations. An animation of the spread of the worm is at http://www.sdsc.edu/Press/03/020403_SAPPHIRE.html -

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to CUTimes.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited CUTimes.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical CUTimes.com information including comprehensive product and service provider listings via the Marketplace Directory, CU Careers, resources from industry leaders, webcasts, and breaking news, analysis and more with our informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and CU Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including Law.com and GlobeSt.com.

Already have an account?


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Credit Union Times

Join Credit Union Times

Don’t miss crucial strategic and tactical information necessary to run your institution and better serve your members. Join Credit Union Times now!

  • Free unlimited access to Credit Union Times' trusted and independent team of experts for extensive industry news, conference coverage, people features, statistical analysis, and regulation and technology updates.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Credit Union Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including TreasuryandRisk.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Credit Union Times

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.