Agent-based Modeling and Simulation of Virus on a Scale-Free Network

Abstract

Predicting epidemics spread in networks is an important agent-based modeling application. It helps in making better policies to protect the networks. Scale free networks are built as an outcome of the process of preferential attachment. This process enables each newly joining node to establish links preferably with existing well connected nodes. Resultant network consists of a few higher degree nodes, and a large number of lower degree nodes. Degree distribution is one of the key factors affecting the virus propagation in networks and removal afterwards. Topological structure of scale-free networks brings new avenues of analyzing the spread and mitigation of computer viruses within them. We have created an agent-based model of virus spread on a technological scale-free network.