The history of cybersecurity dates back several decades. When did the first computer worm, Creeper, emerge?

The first computer worm, known as Creeper, emerged in the early 1970s, specifically around 1971. Developed by Bob Thomas at BBN Technologies, Creeper was an experimental self-replicating program that infected computers connected to the ARPANET, the precursor to the modern internet. Its primary function was to move from one computer to another, displaying the message, “I'M THE CREEPER: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!” However, it is essential to note that while Creeper was an early form of a worm, it was not malicious; it was more of a research project rather than a cybersecurity threat. This also led to the creation of the first antivirus program, Reaper, which was designed to remove Creeper from infected systems. The emergence of Creeper highlights the beginnings of automated programs that can spread across networks, laying the groundwork for the field of cybersecurity that has evolved into a critical component of modern computing.