Truth About Computer Security Hysteria

Expect media to go berzerk over Melissa

NETWORK ASSOCIATES AND Trend Micro issued "advisory" press releases on Friday about the newborn Melissa virus.  NAI claims they discovered it on Thursday and scheduled a telephone press conference for Friday.  Quotes flowed freely in press releases and reporters' interviews.  NAI: "Melissa is widely reported and spreading quickly via mass e-mail."  Trend: "a new and quickly spreading macro virus."  Other firms quickly chimed in with their own dire assessments.  Symantec: "a common macro virus."  Data Fellows: "a virulent and widespread computer virus found on Friday."  Sophos: "extremely widespread in less than eighteen hours."

My current working theory?  Search for a spammer, not a virus author.  You'll pro­bably find a spam booster rocket floating some­where in cyberspace...

It looks like the media will go berzerk over Melissa.  From MSNBC: "experts think hundreds of thousands of PCs might have been infected" in roughly 36hrs.  From ZDNet: "'Melissa' could rival the Cornell Internet Worm released in 1998."

History suggests the reporting will erupt into full-scale worldwide media hysteria.  History also suggests computer security stocks will rise thanks to all the valuable worldwide publicity.  Grab a box of popcorn, folks — Melissa may turn into a blockbuster.  (Movie trailers will feature the long-awaited sequel to Win95.CIH hysteria, opening on 26 April.)