Computer Viruses: Infection Vectors, And Feasibility Of Complete Protection

Computer Viruses: Infection Vectors, and Feasibility of Complete Protection


     A computer virus is a program which, after being loaded into a

computer's memory, copies itself with the purpose of spreading to other

computers.

     Most people, from the corporate level power programmer down to the

computer hobbyist, have had either personal experience with a virus or know

someone who has. And the rate of infection is rising monthly. This has caused a

wide spread interest in viruses and what can be done to protect the data now

entrusted to the computer systems throughout the world.

     A virus can gain access to a computer system via any one of four

vectors:

     1. Disk usage: in this case, infected files contained on a diskette

          (including, on occasion, diskettes supplied by software

          manufacturers) are loaded, and used in a previously uninfected

          system thus allowing the virus to spread.

     2. Local Area Network: a LAN allows multiple computers to share the

          same data, and programs. However, this data sharing can allow

          a virus to spread rapidly to computers that have otherwise been

          protected from external contamination.

     3. Telecommunications: also known as a Wide Area Network, this

          entails the connection of computer systems to each other via

          modems, and telephone lines. This is the vector most feared

          by computer users, with infected files being rapidly passed

          along the emerging information super-highway, then downloaded

          from public services and then used, thus infecting the new system.

     4. Spontaneous Generation: this last vector is at the same time

          the least thought of and the least likely. However, because

          virus programs tend to be small, the possibility exists that

          the code necThis is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now!


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