Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 23 April 2004:
Vol. 304. no. 5670, pp. 527 - 529
DOI: 10.1126/science.1095845
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Perspectives

COMPUTER SCIENCE:
Technological Networks and the Spread of Computer Viruses

Justin Balthrop, Stephanie Forrest, M. E. J. Newman, Matthew M. Williamson

Malicious computer software in the form of viruses and worms continues to plague modern information networks. What strategies are on the horizon for controlling the digital pestilence? In their Perspective, Balthrop et al. survey the structure of computer networks and analyze their epidemiological characteristics. The most effective strategy may turn out to be a form of speed limit in which the rate of new network connections is controlled. A throttling mechanism of this sort would slow the spread of computer infections while leaving normal network traffic unhampered.

J. Balthrop and S. Forrest are in the Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; S. Forrest is also at the Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA. M. E. J. Newman is in the Department of Physics and Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. M. M. Williamson is at HP Laboratories Bristol, Filton Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8QZ, UK. E-mail: forrest {at}cs.unm.edu

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Understanding the Spreading Patterns of Mobile Phone Viruses.
P. Wang, M. C. Gonzalez, C. A. Hidalgo, and A.-L. Barabasi (2009)
Science 324, 1071-1076
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
WiFi networks and malware epidemiology.
H. Hu, S. Myers, V. Colizza, and A. Vespignani (2009)
PNAS 106, 1318-1323
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Deterrence and Digital Piracy: A Preliminary Examination of the Role of Viruses.
S. E. Wolfe, G. E. Higgins, and C. D. Marcum (2008)
Social Science Computer Review 26, 317-333
   Abstract »    PDF »
Experimentally induced change in infectious period affects transmission dynamics in a social group.
D. Naug and B. Smith (2007)
Proc R Soc B 274, 61-65
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)