13 Nov MyDoom: The 20-Year-Old Virus That Is Still Infecting Computers Today
in Blogs
This week in cybersecurity from the editors at Cybercrime Magazine
Sausalito, Calif. – Nov. 13, 2026
– Watch the Short
MyDoom is a notorious Windows email worm first discovered on Jan. 26, 2004, which remains the fastest-spreading email malware in history and continues to circulate in automated phishing campaigns today.
The worm allowed hackers to access infected email accounts and send spam, spreading further whenever users opened infected email attachments.
At its peak in 2004, it accounted for roughly one in four emails sent worldwide and caused an estimated $38 billion to $55 billion in economic damage.
Craig Schmugar, a researcher at the computer security company McAfee, was among the first to analyze Mydoom, according to History.com. He coined its name after noticing the word “mydom”—short for “my domain”—in the virus’s code.
MyDoom was a doozy. Watch the latest Cybercrime Magazine History of Hacking YouTube Short Video with our Senior Social Media Manager Taylor Fox.
Watch the Short
Cybercrime Magazine is Page ONE for Cybersecurity. Go to any of our sections to read the latest:
- SCAM. The latest schemes, frauds, and social engineering attacks being launched on consumers globally.
- NEWS. Breaking coverage on cyberattacks and data breaches, and the most recent privacy and security stories.
- HACK. Another organization gets hacked every day. We tell you who, what, where, when, and why.
- VC. Cybersecurity venture capital deal flow with the latest investment activity from various sources around the world.
- M&A. Cybersecurity mergers and acquisitions including big tech, pure cyber, product vendors and professional services.
- BLOG. What’s happening at Cybercrime Magazine. Plus the stories that don’t make headlines (but maybe they should).
- PRESS. Cybersecurity industry news and press releases in real time from the editors at Business Wire.
- PODCAST. New episodes daily on the Cybercrime Magazine Podcast feature victims, law enforcement, vendors, and cybersecurity experts.
- RADIO. Tune into WCYB Digital Radio at Cybercrime.Radio, the first and only round-the-clock internet radio station devoted to cybersecurity.
Contact us to send story tips, feedback and suggestions, and for sponsorship opportunities and custom media productions.
