Computer Viruses and Anti-Virus Warfare [Paperback]

Jan Hruska (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1993

Revised to include updated material, this volume analyzes the structure of computer viruses, examining the infection paths and common carriers, as well as side effects and mutations. The author offers practical suggestions on the prevention of virus infection. Anti-virus weapons, such as virus detection products, are discussed, and a step-by-step approach to dealing with virus attack is outlined. A new chapter on network protection has also been included. All appendices have been updated, and the book contains a list of anti-virus product manufacturers and two programs, written in the C language, for detecting viruses on IBM PCs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 Rev Sub edition (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130363774
• ISBN-13: 978-0130363770
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,098,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The basics all computer users must know., August 8, 2001

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Computer Viruses and Anti-Virus Warfare (Paperback)

As the title so aptly puts it, there is a war going on in all areas of computer usage. This ongoing battle pits those who wish to use the machines to create against those who wish to destroy. And make no mistake about it, now that computers control stock trading, nuclear power plants, the phone system, electric power grids and many other essential elements of the modern industrial society, failure here can cost lives and severely damage a national economy. Furthermore, with the growing interconnectedness of computer networks, viruses can now propagate at amazing speeds. On November 2, 1988 a worm on the DARPA Internet system infected computers from Massachusetts to California in less than 5 hours. While no data was lost, this was due more to the fact that the worm was not malicious than as a result of computer security. New horror stories of lost data constantly appear on the computer grapevine. Given this state of affairs, every ethical computer user must develop a basic understanding of computer viruses and this book is an excellent starting point.
Several examples of common viruses now in circulation are presented and one is struck by the simplicity of many of the designs. A list of common viruses is given, along with the patterns, in hexadecimal, that are used to identify the virus when a virus search is performed. A 'C'' program that will search all files for the specific patterns is included in an appendix. However, knowledge of the 'C'' language is not necessary to understand the material in the book. Other methods used to combat viruses are also described in an easily understood manner. The material is presented in such a way that any modestly competent computer user can understand it.
This book is very strongly recommended for all users of computers, whether casual or professional. We all have a vested interest in maintaining the integrity of all computer systems, and the only real weapon against the forces of destruction is constant diligence.

Published in Mathematics and Computer Education, reprinted with permission.