Creeper was the first
computer worm
A computer worm is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. It often uses a computer network to spread itself, relying on security failures on the target computer to access it. It wil ...
, while Reaper was the first
antivirus software, designed to eliminate Creeper.
Creeper
Creeper was an experimental computer program written by Bob Thomas at
BBN in 1971. Its original iteration was designed to move between
DEC PDP-10 mainframe computer
A mainframe computer, informally called a mainframe or big iron, is a computer used primarily by large organizations for critical applications like bulk data processing for tasks such as censuses, industry and consumer statistics, enterpris ...
s running the
TENEX operating system using the
ARPANET, with a later version by
Ray Tomlinson designed to copy itself between computers rather than simply move.
This self-replicating version of Creeper is generally accepted to be the first
computer worm
A computer worm is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. It often uses a computer network to spread itself, relying on security failures on the target computer to access it. It wil ...
.
Creeper was a test created to demonstrate the possibility of a self-replicating computer program that could spread to other computers.
The program was not actively
malicious software as it caused no damage to data, the only effect being a message it output to the teletype reading "I'M THE CREEPER. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!"
[From the first email to the first YouTube video: a definitive internet history](_blank)
Tom Meltzer and Sarah Phillips. '' The Guardian''. 23 October 2009
Reaper
Reaper was the first anti-virus software, designed to delete Creeper by moving across the ARPANET. It was created by
Ray Tomlinson in 1972.
Cultural impact
The conflict between Creeper and Reaper served as inspiration for the
programming game ''
Core War'',
while fictionalized versions of Reaper have been used as antagonists in the
anime ''
Digimon Tamers''
and the
visual novel ''
Digital: A Love Story''.
A humanized Creeper has also appeared in the
webcomic Internet Explorer, alongside the likewise personified
Morris Worm.
References
ARPANET
Computer viruses
Computer-related introductions in 1971
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