Computer Worm Highlights Internet's Vulnerabilities

The computer bug that ravaged systems throughout the world over the weekend showed how the increasing use of the Internet by businesses, banks and local governments has created vulnerabilities where few ever suspected them. While similar in many ways to earlier worms, "Sapphire" or "Slammer" raises new questions about the pace at which companies and government agencies are linking critical networks and computer systems to the Internet, often without a clear understanding of the risks.