Rapidly spreading malware (malicious software, such as Trojan horses, viruses and worms) pose a major threat to the stability of a computer network. Although there is great awareness of the problem, the details of the malware spread over the Internet are not well known.
"It is difficult to teach about computer virus epidemiology as there are no tools available for classroom use. This project aims to rectify this by providing a simple tool that teachers can use to show how computer viruses spread within a network," said Ford. A more sophisticated version of the tool can be used to model "real" networks, including topological effects.
Ford, with the support of graduate students, hopes to develop and release v1.0 of the tool by early March.
Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.
Florida Tech offers bachelor's master's and doctoral degrees in computer science; bachelor's and master's degrees in software engineering; and the bachelor's degree in information systems.