Network virus-epidemic model with the point-to-group information propagation

Epidemiology is one of the major issues in studying the spread of computer network viruses. In this paper, a new network virus-epidemic model, namely e-SEIR, is discussed. Unlike other existing computer virus propagation models, e-SEIR takes three important network environment factors into consideration, they are (1) multi- state antivirus, (2) latent period before the infected host becomes infectious and (3) point-to-group information propagation mode. Furthermore, several related dynamics properties are investigated, along with the analysis of how to control the network computer virus prevalence based on the equilibrium stability. The simulation results show that the proposed model can serve as a basis for understanding and simulating virus epidemics in network. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.