Robert Lemos

Text of Award: In August 2003, a little worm called “MSBlast” infected some 120,000 computers in less than 24 hours.

“The quick proliferation of variants further complicated efforts to control the damage, and people around the world came to News.com for the latest developments and advice on how to stop the attacks,” said Editor Jeff Pelline. “We were the first to report how the worm was proliferating and which technologies were most vulnerable to it.”

For three days, staff writer Rob Lemos covered “MSBlast,” producing several detailed reports for visitors.

“MSBlast,” the latest threat to hit the Internet, is a piecemeal compilation of programs cobbled together to do a single job: spread across the Internet. The Frankenstein’s monster of code stitches together a widely available file server, one of several public programs to exploit a widespread Windows flaw, and common techniques for compromising computers.

The combination is unoriginal, but effective. The worm — also known as W32/Lovsan.worm and W32.MSBlaster — is successful not because its creator was knowledgeable about programming, but because a great many people whose computers are connected to the Internet are still ignorant about security.

Launched in 1996, CNET News.com covers technology and its impact on business, personal technology, communications, media and entertainment.

“When the Lovsan worm struck, both computer laymen and information technology specialists needed accurate information quickly to avoid or recover from its ongoing attack on the Microsoft platform,” said judges. “The package gave a play-by-play account of the wormís spread and a forward look at how computer users were vulnerable to even more virulent bugs.”

CNET News.com’s announcement for award
Society of Professional Journalist’s Gallery of 2003 Award Winners
Original series on the MSBlast (a.k.a. Blaster) worm