I-LOVE-YOUViruses,TrojanHorsesandWorms.pdfVIP

PH 307: Disasters I LOVEYOU: Viruses, Trojan Horses and Worms page: 1 I-LOVE-YOU: Viruses, Trojan Horses and Worms Electronic threats, protection and potential disasters In this lecture various forms of malicious software will be examined and discussed in terms of a general threat which is likely to cause disasters (like the discussion of the Y2K bug). However, in difference to that bug we want to focus on intended threats meaning programs that were created to do something the user doesn’t intend or control. From the popular press it might be concluded that viruses are the biggest security threat today. In fact, unintentional human errors (see Y2K) cause much more damage! However, a bug or error doesn’t qualify as intended, malicious code! On the other hand, even though some viruses do not intentionally damage your data, in this context all viruses to be malicious software because they modify your programs without your permission with occasional disastrous results 1. History The principle ideas of code, that is self-replicating goes back to about 1970. Today computer viruses are increasing at an unprecedented rate. In 1986, there was one known computer virus; three years later, that number had increased to six and by 1990, the total had jumped to 80. By November of that year, viruses were being discovered at the rate of one per week. Today, between 10 and 15 new viruses appear every day. In fact, from December 1998 to October 1999, the total virus count jumped from 20,500 to 42,000. 2. Defining the Terminology of Malicious Code Viruses are one specific type of program written deliberately to cause harm to someones computer or to use that computer in an unauthori