Modeling and analysis of the spread of computer virus

Based on a set of reasonable assumptions, we propose a novel dynamical model describing the spread of computer virus. Through qualitative analysis, we give a threshold and prove that (1) the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the threshold is less than one, implying that the virus would eventually die out, and (2) the infection equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the threshold is greater than one. Two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the analytical results.

► A novel model for the spread of computer virus in the networks is proposed.
► The effect of removable devices on the transmission of computer virus is considered.
► The global stabilities of two equilibria are analyzed, respectively.
► The Lyapunov function and the geometric approach are used to investigate the global stability.