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Computer worm no April 1 gag but possible damage unclear
Tue Mar. 31 2009 3:49:09 PM
The Canadian Press
TORONTO — It's no joke. Computer experts around the world are waiting to see exactly how much munching a wily worm that is decidedly not garden variety will do starting April 1.
The worm, called Conficker, is a piece of malicious code that infects computers. It then sits and waits for instructions to delete files, send millions of pieces of spam, steal credit card numbers or other valuable data, or bombard servers and grind them to a halt.
Conficker, experts say, could wreak havoc, but how much is a question of debate and wait-and-see -- on Wednesday and beyond.
"It's the biggest worm we've had in our history, so it's very real and a potential for damage is there," said Brian O'Higgins, a computer security veteran based in Ottawa.
"It's under someone's command and control; we don't know who basically owns and who controls it."
Tue Mar. 31 2009 3:49:09 PM
The Canadian Press
TORONTO — It's no joke. Computer experts around the world are waiting to see exactly how much munching a wily worm that is decidedly not garden variety will do starting April 1.
The worm, called Conficker, is a piece of malicious code that infects computers. It then sits and waits for instructions to delete files, send millions of pieces of spam, steal credit card numbers or other valuable data, or bombard servers and grind them to a halt.
Conficker, experts say, could wreak havoc, but how much is a question of debate and wait-and-see -- on Wednesday and beyond.
"It's the biggest worm we've had in our history, so it's very real and a potential for damage is there," said Brian O'Higgins, a computer security veteran based in Ottawa.
"It's under someone's command and control; we don't know who basically owns and who controls it."
.
frame of mind: 
angry
angryplease leave a message after the tone
creative
nerdy
and not necessarily a good way