Article abstract
Nature Physics 1,
184 - 188 (2005)
doi:10.1038/nphys177
Subject Category: Statistical physics, thermodynamics and nonlinear dynamics
Distributive immunization of networks against viruses using the 'honey-pot' architecture
Jacob Goldenberg1, Yuval Shavitt2, Eran Shir2 and Sorin Solomon3,4
Abstract
Although computer viruses cause tremendous economic loss, defence mechanisms fail to adapt to their rapid evolution. Previous immunization strategies have been characterized as being static and centralized, which has made virus containment difficult or even impossible. We suggest, instead, to propagate the immunization agent as an epidemic. The main problem with epidemic vaccine propagation is that it is bound to lag behind the virus. We suggest giving the vaccine an advantage over the virus by allowing it to leapfrog through a separate, overlapping, partially correlated network. This enables the antivirus to contain the epidemic efficiently. We systemize this concept with a 'honey-pot' architecture that achieves both early virus discovery and rapid antivirus dissemination. We present analytic, as well as simulation, results for a set of realistic topologies that illustrate the effectiveness of this approach.
- Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91905, Israel
- Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 61390, Israel
- Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
- ISI Torino, 10133, Italy
Correspondence to: Eran Shir2 e-mail: shire@eng.tau.ac.il