The evolution of cyber threats and malware

To understand the impact of cyber malware on international history, we must first delve into its evolution. The emergence of malware traces back to the early days of computing. The term “malware” was coined around 1990, but its earliest instances predate the term. For example, the “Creeper” virus emerged in the early 1970s, infecting mainframe computers. The 1980s saw the rise of the PC, which was met with an increase in PC viruses.

The internet’s birth in the 1990s facilitated the spread of malware, triggering a surge in its evolution and sophistication. The first major attack that brought the global threat of malware into the spotlight was the ILOVEYOU worm in 2000. It affected millions of computers globally, causing billions of dollars in damages and marking a turning point in international cyber threats.

In the 21st century, malware has morphed from a minor inconvenience into a potent tool for crime...