A Short Course on Computer Viruses (Wiley Professional Computing)

By Frederick B. Cohen

From the reviews of the first edition "Cohen has been writing and speaking on viruses since they were just glimmerings in the eyes of ... minded computer scientists. And, as a ... minded scientist himself, Dr. Cohen does know his stuff." --EXE Magazine "This book is fun to read (a rarity in this field) and seemingly near faultless in the majority of its conclusions. Considering the author's considerable achievements, it is also written with admirable modesty." --Virus Bulletin Here is an outstanding opportunity to learn about computer viruses from the internationally acclaimed pioneer in the field who actually coined the phrase "computer virus." This new edition of Cohen's classic work has been updated and expanded to nearly double its original size and now includes entirely new chapters on LAN viruses, international viruses, and good viruses (including code). As entertaining as it is thorough, the text is enlivened by Cohen's down-to-earth wit and his many fascinating anecdotes and heretofore unpublished historical facts about viruses. Both broad in its coverage and deep in its consideration, it includes dozens of lucid explanations and examples that amicably guide the reader through the complex, often convoluted subject matter. Hailed as a tour de force, Cohen's discussion of defensive strategies reveals many of the stumbling blocks that often trip readers up. Among the breakthroughs and exciting new developments you'll find only in this book are: A new analysis of the epidemiology of computer viruses New forms of virus evolution that will render most current defenses useless New strategies and tactics in virus defenses New analyses of synergistic effects in attack and defense

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471007684
• ISBN13: 9780471007685
• Release Date: April 1994
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.6" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

Good Theory Book

This book is not about how to write viruses or how to protect yourself from them. It's about the theoretical aspects of viruses. It's a good book. Not great writing, sometimes too difficult theory, leaves out some stuff that could be included now. It's pretty much required reading if you want to really understand how viruses work, not just how to operate your anti virus software, or how to create a new variant of an Outlook virus. It can elevate your thinking about viruses above the specifics of what is going on with today's viruses under today's security models.

Classic reference on viruses

Fred Cohen did pioneering research work in viruses and this book is a survey of virus technology. The book covers the general topic of malicious software from a solid technical level. The book provides no magic bullets either for stopping viruses nor for writing them (there aren't any), but he nails the technology right on. Sill a worthwhile book even though it predates the popularization of active content like Java and the outbreaks of macro viruses in Office applications.