Technological networks and the spread of computer viruses

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how computer viruses spread over different network structures and introduces throttling as an effective control method, challenging traditional vaccination strategies.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of network structures involved in virus spread and proposes throttling as a novel, effective control mechanism.

Findings

Vaccination strategies targeting limited nodes are often ineffective.

Throttling can effectively control contagion across various network types.

Different network structures influence the spread and control of computer viruses.

Abstract

Computer infections such as viruses and worms spread over networks of contacts between computers, with different types of networks being exploited by different types of infections. Here we analyze the structures of several of these networks, exploring their implications for modes of spread and the control of infection. We argue that vaccination strategies that focus on a limited number of network nodes, whether targeted or randomly chosen, are in many cases unlikely to be effective. An alternative dynamic mechanism for the control of contagion, called throttling, is introduced and argued to be effective under a range of conditions.