A precise and exhaustive description of different types of malware from three different points of view, namely the theoretical fundamentals of computer virology, algorithmic and practical aspects of viruses and their potential applications to various areas.

Our Internet-connected society increasingly relies on computers. As a result, attacks on computers from malicious software have never been a bigger concern. Computer Viruses and Malware draws together hundreds of sources to provide an unprecedented view of malicious software and its countermeasures. This book discusses both the technical and human factors involved in computer viruses, worms, and anti-virus software. It also looks at the application of malicious software to computer crime and information warfare. Computer Viruses and Malware is designed for a professional audience composed of researchers and practitioners in industry. This book is also suitable as a secondary text for advanced-level students in computer science.

This book presents a concise overview of the problem and a detailed framework for dealing with computer viruses in organizations. Managers are the target audience, and will find that it offers more than the usual technical information. There is a wealth of advice, much of which applies to the problem of computer security in general.

The 1980's saw the advent of widespread (and potentially damaging) computer virus infection of both personal computer and mainframe systems. The computer security field has been comparatively slow to react to this emerging situation. It is only over the last two years that a significant body of knowledge on the operation, likely evolution and prevention of computer viruses has developed. A Pathology of Computer Viruses gives a detailed overview of the history of the computer virus and an in-depth technical review of the principles of computer virus and worm operation under DOS, Mac, UNIX and DEC operating systems. David Ferbrache considers the possible extension of the threat to the mainframe systems environment and suggests how the threat can be effectively combatted using an antiviral management plan. The author addresses the latest developments in "stealth" virus operations, specifically the trend for virus authors to adopt extensive camouflage and concealment techniques, which allow viruses to evade both existing anti-viral software and to avoid detection by direct observation of machine behaviour. A Pathology of Computer Viruses addresses a distinct need - that of the computer specialist and professional who needs a source reference work detailing all aspects of the computer virus threat.

Symantec's chief antivirus researcher has written the definitive guide to contemporary virus threats, defense techniques, and analysis tools. Unlike most books on computer viruses, The Art of Computer Virus Research and Defense is a reference written strictly for white hats: IT and security professionals responsible for protecting their organizations against malware. Peter Szor systematically covers everything you need to know, including virus behavior and classification, protection strategies, antivirus and worm-blocking techniques, and much more. Szor presents the state-of-the-art in both malware and protection, providing the full technical detail that professionals need to handle increasingly complex attacks. Along the way, he provides extensive information on code metamorphism and other emerging techniques, so you can anticipate and prepare for future threats. Szor also offers the most thorough and practical primer on virus analysis ever published—addressing everything from creating your own personal laboratory to automating the analysis process. This book's coverage includes Discovering how malicious code attacks on a variety of platforms Classifying malware strategies for infection, in-memory operation, self-protection, payload delivery, exploitation, and more Identifying and responding to code obfuscation threats: encrypted, polymorphic, and metamorphic Mastering empirical methods for analyzing malicious code—and what to do with what you learn Reverse-engineering malicious code with disassemblers, debuggers, emulators, and virtual machines Implementing technical defenses: scanning, code emulation, disinfection, inoculation, integrity checking, sandboxing, honeypots, behavior blocking, and much more Using worm blocking, host-based intrusion prevention, and network-level defense strategies

The definitive theoretical work on Computer Viruses by the award winning computer virus expert. Covers all aspects of computer virus attacks & defenses, & discusses long & short term implications on computer security & artificial life. Topics include: computational aspects of computer viruses, evolutionary viruses & viruses as distributed computing mechanisms, the universal protection machine, requirements for viral spread, basic limitations on virus defenses, how modern security systems are bypassed by viruses, secure networks & how they can or can not limit viruses, detection & removal of viruses & the limits on these defenses, complexity based integrity maintenance as a defense against viruses, experimental virus source codes, & viruses as artificial life. Discounts for libraries, universities, bookstores, & quantity purchases. Available through ASP Press, P.O. Box 81270 Pittsburgh, PA 15217, Tel. 412-422-4134, FAX 412-422-4135.