👉 The Yahoo Flu, also known as Yahoo! Flu or Yahoo! Internet Flu, was a highly contagious and rapidly spreading influenza outbreak that occurred in 2009. It was unique due to its origin and the way it leveraged Yahoo's online platforms for rapid communication and information sharing. Initially, the outbreak was mistakenly attributed to Yahoo itself, causing widespread panic and confusion. However, investigations revealed that the virus was actually spreading through email and Yahoo's search engine, which had been compromised by a botnet of infected computers. This botnet, known as the "Yahoo Botnet," spread the virus by sending emails to Yahoo users and other internet users who visited Yahoo's websites. The Yahoo Flu highlighted vulnerabilities in online security and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, leading to significant changes in how companies like Yahoo handled user data and email security.
