Running head: MALICIOUS CODE

Malicious Code
Randy W. Morgan, Sr.
CIS Management of Information Systems

Malicious Code

This research paper attempts to explain the methodologies used in the creation of viruses, the frequency of their development, and the skill level required in creating this code. Although we live in a society that presents various malicious threats that includes virus, worms, Trojan programs, and logic bombs, the focus of this paper will concentrate on the comparison of viruses and worms. I will also examine the question as to weather of not non-Microsoft operating systems as less prone to virus threats.
Malicious code threats are primarily programmed to create havoc or major problems within the computing and networking environment. Exploitation of internet based services and applications are probably the hardest hit because of the increase in everyday usage and the unfamiliarity of threat countermeasures of many users.
Virus and other malicious are created only to create problems; nothing more. There are various levels that indicate the proficiency in developing or writing the program for viruses. These levels range from low skilled students to program researchers who have acquired many years of experience in developing their programming skills. The researchers are the group that introduces highly complex and sometimes anti-virus resistant code into computing/networking systems.
Although they differ, most users do not distinguish virus and worms; the term virus is simply used by some as a catch-all for both threats. A virus is basically a self-replicating program that causes damage by attaching itself to files. Normally, A virus is spread to various computers through human actions, particularly files sharing and email. Worms are similar to virus in some respect but they are more sophisticated in nature. Worms are often referred to as “bots” because of their robotic characteristics. Although they resemble virus, they have at least 1 major characteristic that set them apart; once a worm infects a system it has the ability to move throughout a network without human assistance. ("Computer Virus vs. Computer Worm.")
Microsoft operating systems (OS) and its components appear to be more prone to malicious threats than other operating systems. ("Security Response." Vulnerabilities). During the 80’s various operating systems were exploited by viruses, however today most threats are concentrated on Microsoft OS because it is the most commonly used OS in today’s market. The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) identified Microsoft product vulnerable to various threat. Their report does not show any additional OS other than Microsoft’s as being vulnerable. ("Alerts." US-CERT).

"Computer Virus vs. Computer Worm." - Difference and Comparison. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://www.diffen.com/difference/Computer_Virus_vs_Computer_Worm>.

"Security Response." Vulnerabilities. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://www.symantec.com/security_response/landing/vulnerabilities.jsp>.
"Alerts." US-CERT -. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/index.html>.