Modeling virus spread on a network using NetLogo for optimum network management

Abstract

The infections in computer networks are complex. Its spread is analogous to a contagious disease which can cause destruction within a few seconds. Viruses in a computer or computer networks can spread rapidly by various means such as access to online social networking sites like twitter, Facebook, and opening of email attachments.  Thus, infections can go from being little dangerous to significantly harmful for a network. This paper proposed a simulation model that can predict the propagation of virus including the trend and the average infection rate using NetLogo software. Observed and simulated data sets were validated using chi-square tests. Results of the experiment have demonstrated accurate performance of the proposed model. The model could be very helpful for network administrators in mitigating the virus propagation and obstruct the spread of computer virus other than the usual prevention scheme particularly the use of antivirus software and inclusion of firewall security.