The MSBlaster worm, also known as Blaster or LoveSan, hit the headlines over two weeks ago when it began exploiting a publicised flaw in Microsoft's Windows operating system.
Despite numerous warnings from Microsoft, computer security experts and even the US Department of Homeland Security, many companies and individuals did not download the necessary software patch to protect themselves from attack.
When it came, the attack took the form of a highly infectious worm that caused computers to constantly reboot or to show error messages. The worm was also programmed to launch a denial of service attack – where a server is overloaded to the point of collapse – against Microsoft's Windows Update site on 16th August.
In the end this attack did not materialise as Microsoft simply ensured that the page under attack was not available on the internet. But the worm affected many companies, including Air Canada, Indian Airlines and the US Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta. Personal users were hit hard too, with computer maintenance companies overwhelmed by the demand for help in removing the worm.
Analysts estimate the damage done by MSBlaster and its variants at up to $1.3 billion.
Seven computers were taken from the Parson family home prior to the arrest and Parson, known on-line as teekid or t33kid, has confessed to making a version of the MS Blaster worm, says Reuters.
The US Attorney in Seattle announced the arrest on Friday. According to Reuters, Parson has been charged with "one count of intentionally causing or attempting to cause damage to a computer". If convicted he will face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
He is now living under house arrest, and is prohibited from using the internet.
The creator of the original worm has not yet been caught – but the FBI says it is not giving up.