Email networks and the spread of computer viruses

M. E.J. Newman; Stephanie Forrest; Justin Balthrop

doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.66.035101

Email networks and the spread of computer viruses

M. E.J. Newman, Stephanie Forrest, Justin Balthrop

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

641 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many computer viruses spread via electronic mail, making use of computer users’ email address books as a source for email addresses of new victims. These address books form a directed social network of connections between individuals over which the virus spreads. Here we investigate empirically the structure of this network using data drawn from a large computer installation, and discuss the implications of this structure for the understanding and prevention of computer virus epidemics.

Original language	English (US)
Journal	Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
Volume	66
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.66.035101
State	Published - Sep 10 2002
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Statistics and Probability
Condensed Matter Physics

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10.1103/PhysRevE.66.035101

Cite this

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Email networks and the spread of computer viruses

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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