Effects of Worms on Internet Routing Stability

Source: Security Focus

The impact of worms on the Internet has increased significantly over the past five years. In particular worms such as CodeRed II, NIMDA, and the more recent SQL Slammer prove that the ability to effectively impact the Internet overall is here. This impact is not only felt at the connection endpoint where the worm takes residence and replicates itself but also on the infrastructure in-between. In the period of time that CodeRed II infection was at its most severe levels a unique effect began to be observed whereby global routing instability was detected throughout the Internet.