🚀 go-pugleaf

fc@turing.duq.edu (Fred Cohen) writes:
>	Computer viruses do not have to be malicious, they do not have
>to be Trojan horses, and they do not have to enter without the
>knowledge or consent of the user.  Any definition that depends on
>these properties depends on peoples' opinions, skills, and knowledge,
>and are thus not "testable" in the scientific sense of the word.  (See
>Popper and others for more details).  For example:

..

>	The mathematical definition first published in 1985 is
>testable, and appears to properly differentiate viruses from
>non-viruses.  Perhaps someone else wishes to do a better job, but
>let's not make definitions that are senseless.

>	So what is a computer virus? In simple terms, it is a sequence
>of instructions that, when interpreted in an appropriate environment,
>"replicates" in that at least one relica also "replicates", etc., ad
>infinitum.

Actually, that definition isn't useful.  If the "environment" includes
a user typing "copy", then any file is a virus.  (Word Perfect, on the
other hand, qualifies as a Trojan Horse under almost any definitions,
because it busily modifies files without being asked.  MOST of those
files are in the WP directory, but....)
- --
Arthur L. Rubin: a_rubin@dsg4.dse.beckman.com (work) Beckman Instruments/Brea
216-5888@mcimail.com 70707.453@compuserve.com arthur@pnet01.cts.com (personal)
My opinions are my own, and do not represent those of my employer.
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