The impact of patch forwarding on the prevalence of computer virus

A theoretical assessment approach

Journal article (2017)

Authors

L. Yang Chongqing University, Network Architectures and Services - EEMCS
Xiaofan Yang Chongqing University
Yingbo Wu Chongqing University
Research Group
Network Architectures and Services (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2017

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Quantum & Computer Engineering

Research Group

Network Architectures and Services

Abstract

Virus patches can be disseminated rapidly through computer networks and take effect as soon as they have been installed, which significantly enhances their virus-containing capability. This paper aims to theoretically assess the impact of patch forwarding on the prevalence of computer virus. For that purpose, a new malware epidemic model, which takes into full account the influence of patch forwarding, is proposed. The dynamics of the model is revealed. Specifically, besides the permanent susceptible equilibrium, this model may admit an infected or a patched or a mixed equilibrium. Criteria for the global stability of the four equilibria are given, respectively, accompanied with numerical examples. The obtained results show that the spectral radii of the patch-forwarding network and the virus-spreading network both have a marked impact on the prevalence of computer virus. The influence of some key factors on the prevalence of virus is also revealed. Based on these findings, some strategies of containing electronic virus are recommended.

Files

1_s2.0_S0307904X16305431_main.... (pdf)
(pdf | 0.847 Mb)
Unknown license

Download not available