The virus that changed the internet: Melissa virus explained | NordVPN

The Melissa virus is one of the most infamous viruses in the history of the internet. This virus, which spread like wildfire in 1999, was a wake-up call for the cybersecurity industry. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Melissa virus, its impact on the internet, and how it changed the world of cybersecurity forever.
What is the Melissa virus?
The Melissa virus was a macro virus that was spread through email. It was designed to target Microsoft Office systems and was disguised as a file named "list.doc". Once the file was opened, the virus would automatically send itself to the first 50 people on the infected user's contact list. The email subject would be disguised as a message from someone the recipient knew, and the contents of the letter read "Here is that document you asked for … don’t show anyone else ;-)”.
How did it spread?
The Melissa virus spread like wildfire because, at the time, there was no such thing as a virus spreading through email. This made people open the attachment without any suspicion. Once the file was opened, the virus would spread to other computers in the contact list, and so on. Within hours, it had reached the mailing systems of corporate networks and the sheer amount of traffic slowed them to a point where some networks had to be temporarily shut down.
What was the impact of the Melissa virus?
The Melissa virus affected a million email accounts and disrupted more than 300 organizations, including Microsoft, Intel Corp, the United States Marine Corps, and parts of the Air Force. It was the fastest-spreading virus in the history of the internet to date, causing about $80 million in damages in the U.S. and about $1.1 billion across the globe.
Luckily, the virus itself wasn't designed to steal information or destroy infected machines. It DID corrupt Word documents if you opened them at a specific time that matched the date on your computer. But that's about it. The most damage came from overloaded networks. David Lee Smith, the creator of the virus, got a 20-month prison sentence and a $5,000 fine.
How did the Melissa virus change the world of cybersecurity?
The Melissa virus was a wake-up call for the cybersecurity industry. It highlighted the need for better email security and the importance of educating people about the dangers of opening suspicious attachments. In response to the Melissa virus, the FBI opened a new Cyber Division focused solely on digital crimes. This division has been instrumental in tracking down and prosecuting cybercriminals, and it has helped to make the internet a safer place.
Unfortunately, the Melissa virus also worked as an inspiration. It began a transformation of digital threats and the very landscape of the internet as we know it. And just a year later, a more harmful, more infectious virus would spread across the web, wreaking more havoc than anyone had ever seen.
Conclusion
The Melissa virus is a stark reminder of how vulnerable we are to cyber threats. It also serves as a reminder of how far we have come in the fight against cybercrime. While the Melissa virus caused significant damage, it also led to significant improvements in email security and the creation of new divisions within law enforcement agencies to combat digital crimes. Today, we have better tools, better education, and better cybersecurity measures in place to protect us from threats like the Melissa virus. However, we must remain vigilant and continue to evolve our cybersecurity practices to stay ahead of the next wave of threats.
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