Purchase Solution

Speed of computer virus infection

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

A computer is infected with the Sasser virus. Assume that it infects 20 other computers within 5 minutes; and that these PCs and servers each infect 20 more machines within another five minutes, etc. How long until 100 million computers are infected?

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

The solution shows how to estimate the infection rate of computers by a virus if the infection is done in (a) discrete steps or (b) continuous spread.

Solution Preview

Hello and thank you for posting your question to Brainmass.

There are two ways to look at the problem. Each way leads to a different solution. I suspect you are looking for the firs solution. However I thought it would be useful to show you both.

Solution #1 - The discrete propagation:

We asume that the infection is done in time steps. That is at t=0 there is one infected machine, and only at t=5 we have additional 20 infected machines.

Let n be the 5 minutes step (t=5n).

After 5 minutes (n=1) we have 20+1 computers infected.

Then, after another 5 minutes (n=2) each of these computers infect 20 more, so together we have the (20+1) originals plus 20*(20+1) new ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Solving quadratic inequalities

This quiz test you on how well you are familiar with solving quadratic inequalities.

Geometry - Real Life Application Problems

Understanding of how geometry applies to in real-world contexts

Exponential Expressions

In this quiz, you will have a chance to practice basic terminology of exponential expressions and how to evaluate them.

Probability Quiz

Some questions on probability

Multiplying Complex Numbers

This is a short quiz to check your understanding of multiplication of complex numbers in rectangular form.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Correlation between the speed of a viral infection

    174882 Correlation between the speed of a viral infection Is there a correlation between the speed of a viral infection and its potential mortality? Explain. There is a correlation between speed of viral infection and potential mortality.

  • Virus vs. Worm

    265987 Virus vs. Worm Explain the differences between a virus and a worm. A virus and worm are both threats to the security of a computer system. A virus is a type of program that is usually attached on another program.

  • Audit implications of computer virus: Additional procedures.

    Required: Prepare the memo to the partner MEMO To: Audit Partner Re: Campbell's Toy Store - audit implications of computer virus March 22, 2005 Date of virus infection: February 14, 2005 Audit Year end: February 28, 2005 Testing prior

  • Computer Viruses

    ---Virus and Worm--- A virus and worm are both threats to the security of a computer system. A virus is a type of program that is usually attached on another program.

  • Factors Influencing Virus Infection

    virus infection in a host.

  • Parvovirus B19-associated conditions

    Arthritis in this infection is thought to be caused by the deposition of immune complexes in the joints, consisting of antiviral antibody linked to viral surface proteins or intact virus particles.

  • Autoimmune Disease

    The reason why a normal strain of mice will at first experience a few rounds of replication of a virus is because a systemic response to the infection doesn't occur until a large number of antigens are detected.

  • Microbes that are difficult to control

    Because lentiviruses are known to have long incubation time period between initial infection and the beginning of serious symptoms. This is why people infected with HIV are unaware of their HIV infection and spread the virus to others.

  • Infections

    There are many carriers of the virus who can pass on the virus. 2. Epidemiologists construct a "family tree" to determine how the infection traveled. By following the tree, they can determine where the infection originated.

View More Related Solutions