EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 16 MIN
The Typo That Broke the Internet (Before We Knew We Had One)
from Code Curiosities · host Podcaster
In 1988, a Cornell grad student meant to test network security but accidentally unleashed the first major internet worm, infecting 10% of all connected computers and grinding the early web to a halt. We'll explore how Robert Morris's coding mistake became the wake-up call that shaped modern cybersecurity and why his punishment was surprisingly light for nearly breaking the internet. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In 1988, a Cornell grad student meant to test network security but accidentally unleashed the first major internet worm, infecting 10% of all connected computers and grinding the early web to a halt. We'll explore how Robert Morris's coding mistake became the wake-up call that shaped modern cybersecurity and why his punishment was surprisingly light for nearly breaking the internet.
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The Typo That Broke the Internet (Before We Knew We Had One)
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