Chapter 2 - Malware diffusion in wired and wireless complex networks

Abstract

The main subject of this book is modeling the diffusion (dissemination) of malicious software (malware) over various types of complex communication networks, and especially over wireless ones. The previous chapter introduced complex communication networks and presented their structure and features. In this chapter, the focus shifts on modeling the malware dissemination processes. We start with the definition of diffusion processes as generic spreading processes observed across various scenario instances and research disciplines. Then the more specific problem of malware diffusions will be introduced and the most frequently encountered malware outbreaks will be presented. Finally, this chapter will present in detail the most important models that are related with the diffusion of malware in communication networks and can be used more broadly for modeling the spread of information in all types of complex networks as well. The content of this chapter may be considered as a foundation for building malware/information dissemination models over complex networks.