Evolution of Computer Virus Concealment and Anti-Virus Techniques: A Short Survey

TL;DR

This survey reviews the evolution of virus concealment and anti-virus techniques, highlighting the ongoing arms race between virus developers and anti-virus solutions, and discusses their strengths and weaknesses.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the development of concealment and detection methods in computer viruses and anti-virus tools, encouraging further research.

Findings

Viruses continuously improve concealment to evade detection.

Anti-virus techniques evolve to counter new virus tricks.

The paper identifies strengths and weaknesses of current methods.

Abstract

This paper presents a general overview on evolution of concealment methods in computer viruses and defensive techniques employed by anti-virus products. In order to stay far from the anti-virus scanners, computer viruses gradually improve their codes to make them invisible. On the other hand, anti-virus technologies continually follow the virus tricks and methodologies to overcome their threats. In this process, anti-virus experts design and develop new methodologies to make them stronger, more and more, every day. The purpose of this paper is to review these methodologies and outline their strengths and weaknesses to encourage those are interested in more investigation on these areas.