By Peter Weiss
The best way to stop an epidemic might be to start one. That’s the gist of a new strategy against computer viruses that was just unveiled by Israeli researchers. In their theoretical approach, when a computer network detects a new virus, it launches an internal counter-epidemic of self-propagating, protective messages. Upon receiving such a message, an uncontaminated computer immunizes itself against the virus.
If the new method proves practical, it could give rise to network-based mechanisms—perhaps covering the entire Internet—for containing viruses, says codeveloper Eran Shir of Tel Aviv University in Ramat Aviv. Those mechanisms might replace today’s ponderous practice of keeping equipment safe by regularly downloading antivirus software.