Computer Viruses

1. Computer Viruses

2. History • Malicious software – 1970’s • Programs distributed over exchange servers speeds spread of viruses • Brain sparks term: Virus

3. Historical Viruses • Brain • VirDem • Lehigh • Chameleon – Polymorphic • DAME • VCL

4. More History • CDs make removal difficult • Macro viruses • Remote control becomes prevalent • Spread via email • Downloading and file sharing

5. Virus Types and Descriptors • Resident • Direct Action • Overwrite • Boot Sector • Macro • Directory • Encrypted

6. More Viruses • Polymorphic • Multipartite • File Infector • Companion • FAT • XSSV • Sentinel

7. Even More Viruses • Stealth • Armored • Sparse Infector • Fast and Slow Infector • Worms • Trojan Horses • Logic Bombs • Hoaxes

8. Anti-Virus • Searches for known viruses • Requirements • Bit-level work • Good error handling • Fast, dynamic life cycle • Also identifies suspicious behavior • Scans incoming and outgoing behavior

9. Prevention and Aid • Techniques • Deletion • Quarantine • Repair • Polymorphic viruses make detection via dictionary difficult • Suspicious behavior’s advantages • Sandboxes and Blueprints

10. Other Methods • Education • Email filtering • User knowledge

11. Spyware • Definition • Symptoms • Methods of infection • Results • Phone home • Remote access • Zombie attacks

12. Spyware • Rootkit • Sony • Prevention • Anti-spyware programs • Not always the most effective • Safe internet practices

13. Survey • We surveyed 40 people on the Pace University Campus • We asked questions related to demographic information and regarding virus preparedness

14. Male vs. Female

15. Preparedness

16. Conclusion • Viruses and Spyware pose an increasing threat • Prevention methods do not include software alone • Many methods which are common knowledge to those familiar with computers are not common practice