RE: Internet worm / definitions

Hi all

Just to put some sort of near closure to this thread, we could always go back to the original comparison, in the context it was intended.

Viruses need a host program to infect and therefore survive and spread. The host program is carried to another computer and passed into the system by some means to further infect. This roughly equates to a virus passing and surviving from one body to another by close or intimate contact. We could think of a worm as something like a bacterium, Staphylococcus for example. Staphylococcus can be passed by other means, such as in food, fluids or a benchtop. The bacterium waits for another host to pick it up. In other words a worm can be passed via e-mail, a website or other means and propagate in the next computer it reaches when the computer (and user) 'eats' the bacteria filled food (e-mail attachment) that the worm is attached to.

So, could we say a virus is a virus and a worm is a bacterium?

The comparisons could even be expanded; a virus usually infects with minimal visible signs until it is almost too late to treat. A bacterium infects and may give obvious visual clues early in the infection process.

Having said all that, the virus/worm debate will continue long after the 'trustworthy computing' catchphrase is filed to the bit-bucket.

Cheers,
Brad

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harley David [mailto:david.harley@nhsia.nhs.uk]
> Sent: Saturday, 17 May 2003 2:47 AM
> To: Focus-Virus
> Subject: RE: Internet worm / definitions
>
>
> I'm not sure "logical" is quite the word to describe your

• Wireless LAN Policies for Security & Management - NEW White Paper *** Just like wired networks, wireless LANs require network security policies that are enforced to protect WLANs from known vulnerabilities and threats. Learn to design, implement and enforce WLAN security policies to lockdown enterprise WLANs.

Do you need help?

In addition to our free technical library, Pantek provides professional IT services to companies who utilize Open Source software: Learn more about Pantek's Technical Support offerings Place an order for 24/7/365 Technical Support here Learn more about Pantek, who we are, and what we do Chat with a Live Operator Related securityfocus.com Links bugtraq certification focus-bsd focus-ids focus-ih focus-linux focus-ms focus-sun focus-unix-other focus-virus forensics incidents libnet linux-secnews ms-secnews pen-test secpapers secprog sectools secureshell security-basics securityjobs sf-news vuln-dev webappsec Request more information about Pantek

To get your FREE white paper visit us at: http://www.securityfocus.com/AirDefense-focus-virus