Y2k Virus Essay Research Paper Y2K Computer

Y2k Virus Essay, Research Paper

Y2K Computer Virus:

Disaster Waiting to Happen

Back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, when computers were just begging to emerge, data storage space was expensive and in short supply. By today’s standards even the largest of the mainframe computers had insignificant hard memory storage abilities. Computer programmers adopted a habit of using two digits (55, 56, 57, .) in their programming codes to indicate the year, this is called COBOL. Programmers knew this practice might cause problems with the data rolled over to 2000 at the end of the century. However, they decided to save thousands of bytes of hard disc storage space in the more complex banking and government software packages. At the time, the two-digit system was looked at as a creative and necessary method of stretching the limited data storage space on early electronic machines. Early computer programmers believed the computers they installed the two-digit date coding in would be completely obsolete and replaced in the 1970’s or 1980’s; long before the turn of the millennium.

Today, as the year 2000 quickly approaches, thousands of those early mainframe computers using COBOL are still in use and still incorporate the two-digit year scheme. The problem that arises from the COBOL system in that the computers will interpret “00″ as the year 1900. It is uncertain at this point how this will effect computers and other electronic equipment that control our daily lives. No one is certain how the year 2000 will affect the transfer of data from computer to computer. Because of this uncertainty, it is important that precautionary steps are taken to avoid complete destruction on all scales. “When we go from 1999 to 2000, two-digit dates become ambiguous and the potential cause of big problems.” (Richards 1) Individuals, businesses, and the government must prepare for the Y2K bug before January 1, 2000.

To begin, individuals must prepare themselves for the possibility of Y2K havoc. Nearly all American families now own a personal computer. They use this computer for school, work, and play. “A substantial percentage of personal computers are thought to be vulnerable to the Y2K bug, especially those that were made before 1997.” (Richards 1) Y2K will most likely effect database and spreadsheet files that people have on their personal computers. However, computers are not the only electronic devices that will be affected by the Y2K bug. “Other appliances could have problems also, especially those which compute a date if that date or time is related in any way to the operation of the machine.” (Richards 1) Some machines that would be effected in this was by Y2K are VCR’s, microwaves, and coffee makers. Some machines may recognize the year to be 1900, and thus might not affect the operation of the machines. Individuals must begin now to safeguard themselves from the possible destruction Y2K could bring to their electronic devices. One way to find out if a computer is Y2K compliant is to set the date to later 1999, when the year 2000 rolls around, if the computer is unaffected, the computer is compliant and should be alright. However, if the computer shows problems, it is likely not Y2K compliant and it will need to be fixed or is in need of a program update to make the system ready for the year 2000. As well as problems with the personal computer, individuals must prepare for many other problems in the other areas of technology. “Possible effects include incorrect bank statements, non-functional credit cards, dead phones, missing social security checks, etc” (Olmsted 2) Y2K preparation can go so far as to store 55-gallon drums of water and at least three months worth of food. “Prepare for several months without electricity, water, or other services.” (Olmsted 3) “You might need three months of supplies for ‘camping out’ in your own home: propane stove, candles, shovel to dig a latrine, etc, etc.” (Olmsted 2) Because of the effect Y2K may have on bank accounts, some advise to withdraw money before the turn of the millennium. “Store at least several thousand dollars in small bills, more if possible. You need this in small bills in case the banks fail.” (Olmsted 3) At the very least, one should make sure that he or she has a hard copy, printout report of all bank accounts and investments. As the year 2000 approaches, so does the Y2K bug. Each and every individual must prepare and safeguard themselves for the possible effects this computer glitch may bring.

Similarly, businesses must also be prepared for the problems that the Y2K could create for their machines. “The alternative to addressing the Year 2000 will be going out of business.” (Celko 2) Businesses depend of computers for everyday operations, finances and numerous other databases. As the turn of the new millennium approaches, devastation for businesses may also be approaching. The Y2K computer bug could strip companies of their entire customer databases, destroying years of work and information gathering. Corporations must prepare for the shock that the Y2K could deliver. “The UW-Madison also began seeing the problem several years ago when making academic schedules that reached into the new millennium. It fixed those problems as they turned up, but only hired a Year 2000 coordinator last summer.” (Carleton/Saemann 1A) Power and water seem to be the items of most concern. Utilities use hundreds of computer chi