Melissa overloaded corporate Exchange servers worldwide within days — the first mass-mailer wormSelf-replicating malware that spreads across networks without needing a host file. to exploit email as its primary vector. It forced ITInformation technology — the use of computers, networks, and software in organizations. departments to disable Office macros by default and preview the phishingFraudulent messages that trick users into revealing passwords or installing malware. era: social engineering plus automationUsing machines or software to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. beats exotic exploits.

Melissa was the wake-up call that email could weaponize address books at scale.

It made macro security and mail filtering mandatory in enterprise ITInformation technology — the use of computers, networks, and software in organizations..