Linux "Worm" story author says it was all a mistake

Dec 02, 1998, 14:14 (3 Talkback[s])

Randy Barrett, author of the story "Worm strikes Linux" published by ZDNN November 30 and subsequently picked up by News.com, the Register, and MSNBC, says "we will print a correction".

In e-mail to Tracy Reed, Randy Barrett wrote:

"Tracy: My appologies for causing a panic. A source characterized the attacks as "wormlike," and I went ahead and used the term. My mistake. Also, the story was NOT about Linux, that was the headline and I didn't write it. Post this where you like. We'll print a correction."

Barrett was responding to the following complaint by Reed:

"It wasn't a worm! A worm is something totally different. I humbly request that you print a correction. The security hole is real, discovered 4 months ago, and this sort of thing happens regularly with computer software. It was not especially newsworthy. A *real* worm on the other hand, would have been. But because it made the news and the word "Worm" was used I am getting emails from all sorts of people asking about this new Internet worm, invoking visions of the infamous Morris worm from 10 years ago which crashed a lot of the Internet's computers. You greatly overstated the case and it is causing a panic."

Tracy Reed posted the e-mail exchange to the linux-biz list today.

See these

Related Stories:

• ZDNN: Worm strikes Linux(Nov 30, 1998)
• CNET: Experts say Linux attacks not unusual(Dec 02, 1998)
• MSNBC: Hackers exploit Linux mail 'worm'(Dec 02, 1998)