Malicious Mobile Code
Welcome to the class website of Malicious Mobile Code. This page links to all the slides for the current class, plus assignment information.
Syllabus
The goal of the class is to make you aware of how malicious code functions, and how it can be prevented. As such, we will cover the ethics of malicious code research, low-level techniques used by malware, malware analysis, malware spread and malware prevention.
In order to participate in the class, a signed ethics statement is required from each student.
Prerequisites & Administrivia
The class is rather relatively straightforward: we will take a guided tour of the malware universe. Assignments will vary between writing about malware, examining files/executables, looking at low-level system functionality, and simulating malware spread. In order to get an A in the class, all assignment must be turned in and complete. Please note, you must pass the final to obtain a passing grade in the class.
The book for the class is Peter Szor's "The Art of Computer Virus Research and Defense". It's a very good book, and should be useful to you after you have graduated.
Unless otherwise stated, all assignments are due before class 1 week after they were assigned (e.g. if an assignment is set on Tuesday, it is due before class the following Tuesday).
Slides
This deck changes as a function to time. Please check back for additional materials covered in class.
- Introduction
- Ethics
- History
- Fundamental Definitions
- The Viral Environment
- File Viruses
- Win32 Viruses - An Introduction
- Networking
- Buffer Overflows
- Epidemiology
- Stealth
- Polymorphism
- Virus Scanners
- Memory Scanning
- Social Engineering
- Self-Protection Strategies
- Viral Payloads
- Hoaxes
- Policy
- Further lessons will be uploaded as needed
Assignments/Helper Files