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20 Years of Computer Viruses

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the spreading-the-news dept.

Tuxedo Jack writes "The Register reports that twenty years ago today (19 January 1986), the first computer virus, Brain, was discovered. By modern standards, this was a minor virus, and it spread by floppy disks, which is a far cry from the network-aware worms of today. Still, though, it was the first noted virus, and we've had twenty years of pain and annoyance from it and its successors. Happy birthday, Brain, you and all your little virus friends - just know we're doing our damndest to keep you from having more."

14 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. brain and.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    pinky jokes to follow..

    1. Re:brain and.. by linuxfanatic1024 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      NARF!!

      --
      Microsoft-free since March 28, 2004
  2. frits psto by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    frits psto

  3. Correction by Lithgon · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    20 years and 1 day.

  4. Re:Yay for viruses! by JorgeDeLaCancha · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    There are exceptiosn to any rule.

  5. Re:Yay for viruses! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I hope he's a strong, gentle lover.

  6. Vista? by joel_mac · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    What is Microsoft doing to help make Vista more secure?

  7. Re:Yay for viruses! by shadowlordseth · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    All i can say is I'm sorry. Been there done that. Wish I didn't have the tshirt.

    --
    http://www.firstcallpaintball.com/
  8. Re:Yay for viruses! by Terminal+Saint · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Bitter much?

    --
    It's sad when choosing an installation directory on your own qualifies you as an "advanced user."
  9. will it make by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    With the way computer chips are made today is their a good changes that the probe will never even make it their in working order?

  10. Re:Yay for viruses! by shadowlordseth · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    No but I've been talking to my good friend jose all night, and now I'm waiting for the jack and everclear to cause me to black out. So fuck you all. Take my advise. Marraige will fuck you up.

    --
    http://www.firstcallpaintball.com/
  11. Re:This is year 12 of me using Linux by SCVirus · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    This is year 5 million of me using (insert OS that you love and refuse to hear anything bad about), also my penis is bigger then yours.

  12. Re:Yay for viruses! by MegaFur · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    You make a good point. But then this is slashdot where stuff like actually using the correct word (e.g. than/then) matters little.

    --
    Furry cows moo and decompress.
  13. This is the photo of the first real computer bug! by sxmjmae · · Score: 0, Offtopic


    See real bug at: http://history.navy.mil/photos/images/h96000/h9656 6kc.htm

    It happened 9 September 1945 at Harvard University.

    --
    My Sig indicates the end of the comment I posted.