Topic: Morris Worm

Elon Musk reports a massive cyber attack on X (formerly Twitter) with IP addresses originating near Ukraine, though a pro-Palestinian group also claimed responsibility. The incident prompts a historical look back at the 1988 Morris Worm, the first large-scale internet worm. The hosts discuss how the New York Times handled the original story and the technical differences between worms and viruses.

A PBS segment claiming the U.S. was the first to use offensive cyber weapons via Stuxnet is challenged. The hosts recount the history of the Morris Worm from the 1980s and discuss long-standing Russian and Chinese cyber operations. An anecdote about Kevin Mitnick illustrates how social engineering, such as leaving "confidential" discs in offices, is used to distribute malware.