Computer Viruses: from theory to applications

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XXIV

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2. Genesis and Theory of Computer Viruses

   1. Introduction

      Pages 3-5

   2. The Formalization Foundations: from Turing to von Neumann (1936 – 1967)

      Pages 7-37

   3. F. Cohen and L. Adleman’s Formalization (1984 – 1989)

      Pages 39-80

   4. Taxonomy, Techniques and Tools

      Pages 81-149

   5. Fighting Against Viruses

      Pages 151-177

3. Learning Computer Viruses by Programming

   1. Introduction

      Pages 181-184

   2. Computer Viruses in Interpreted Programming Language

      Pages 185-205

   3. Companion Viruses

      Pages 207-255

   4. Worms

      Pages 257-319

4. Computer Viruses and Applications

   1. Introduction

      Pages 323-325

   2. Computer Viruses and Applications

      Pages 327-348

   3. BIOS Viruses

      Pages 349-365

   4. Applied Cryptanalysis of Cipher Systems: The YMUN20 Virus

      Pages 367-381

5. Conclusion

   1. Conclusion

      Pages 385-387

6. Back Matter

   Pages 389-405

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“Viruses don’t harm, ignorance does. Is ignorance a defense?” herm1t “[...] I am convinced that computer viruses are not evil and that programmers have a right to create them, to possess them and to experiment with them ... truth seekers and wise men have been per- ´ secuted by powerful idiots in every age ...’ Mark A. Ludwig Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights The purpose of this book is to propose a teaching approach to under- 1 stand what computer viruses really are and how they work. To do this, three aspects are covered ranging from theoretical fundamentals, to pr- tical applications and technical features; fully detailed, commented source 1 We will systematically use the plural form “viruses” instead of the litteral one “virii”. The latteris now an obsolete, though gramatically recommended, form. VIII Preface codes of viruses as well as inherent applications are proposed. So far, the applications-oriented aspects have hardly ever been addressed through the scarce existing literature devoted to computer viruses.

• algorithms
• automata
• code
• computer
• computer science
• computer security
• cryptoanalysis
• cryptology
• fundamentals
• programming
• programming language
• security
• combinatorics

• École Supérieure et d’Application des Transmissions, Rennes Armées

  Eric Filiol

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