Objective The objective of the work is the systematic study and further development of methods to defend open computer networks against attack by malicious software, including viruses.A project was set up to demonstrate the feasibility of the development of products for defending open computer networks against malicious software. The definition phase was divided into 5 work packages (WP) to be considered over 10 months. WP1 covered the collection and classification of threats of integrated broadband communication (IBC) environments namely, case studies of virus classification, modes of mobile viruses, detection capabilities and known weaknesses of IBC networks. WP2 covered the investigation of heuristic and formal algorithms for the detection, diagnosis and neutralisation, as well as selfcorrecting distributed computation (SDC) techniques for the provision of a trusted environment and the implications on IBC. WP3 consisted of the definition of an overall system concept, and WP4 covered the cost benefit analysis and selection of the most promising combinations of these techniques. WP5 covered the design and implementation specifications for a product (ie a set of tools) which incorporated the case selected in WP4. The project results indicated the necessity to attack the problem of detecting malicious software by monitoring system behaviour rather than by using the appearance of the malicious code itself. The wider applicability of the concepts in terms of analysing very large log audit files, for example, was also identified.Technical Approach The basic concept revolves around the co-operation of a neural net with an expert system and the use of self-correcting distributed computation (SDC) techniques. The neural net component is responsible for the adaptive classification of events and the expert system uses the input from the neural net to perform a diagnosis and propose or perform neutralisation of any incurred damage. SDC techniques will be used to enhance immunity and to provide a minimum trusted environment. During 1992, the project was in a definition phase whose success was intended to demonstrate the feasibility of the development of products for defending Open Computer Networks against malicious software. The definition phase was divided into five work packages to be considered over 10 months. WP1 covered the collection and classification of threats of IBC environment namely, case studies of virus classification, modes of mobile viruses, detection capabilities and known weaknesses of IBC networks. WP2 covered the investigation of heuristic and formal algorithms for the detection, diagnosis and neutralisation, as well as SDC techniques for the provision of a trusted environment and the implications on IBC. WP3 consisted of the definition of an overall system concept, and WP4 covered the cost/benefit analysis and selection of the "most promising" combination of these techniques. Finally, WP5 covered the design and implementation specifications for a product (i.e. a set of tools) which incorporated the case selected in WP4. Key Issues R&D is needed into methods of defence against specific forms of attack on software, notably "viruses" and "worms". This is because of the rising frequency of such attacks and the regrettably large number of people willing and able to devise and launch them. Viruses are important in view of the following: Their extensive reproduction capability. Detecting their origin is an undecidable problem. They have the ability to completely alter (hence destroy) data. Techniques for defence tend not to be preventive. Expected Impact The Project results indicate the necessity to attack the problem of detecting malicious software by monitoring system behaviour rather than by using the appearance of the malicious code itself. The wider applicability of the concepts in terms of analysing very large log/audit files, for example, was also identified. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwarenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputer securitymalicious softwarenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligenceexpert systemsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputer securitynetwork securityengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networks Programme(s) FP3-RACE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of communication technologies, 1990-1994 Topic(s) T.881 - Malicious software and IBC T.883 - Generic security servers design and prototypes PL6 - Project line 6 - Information security Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Expertnet Ltd Address Dioharous str 8 11528 Athens Greece See on map EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CCC SOFTWARE PROFESSIONALS Finland EU contribution € 0,00 Address See on map Dassault Automatismes et Télécommunications France EU contribution € 0,00 Address 9 rue elsa triolet zone industrielle des gatines 78373 Plaisir See on map Forschungsinstitut für anwendungsorientierte Wissensverarbeitung Ulm Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Helmholtzstraße 16 89081 Ulm See on map France Télécom France EU contribution € 0,00 Address 38-40 rue du général leclerc 92131 Issy-les-moulineaux See on map Institute of Inform. Proc. Science Finland EU contribution € 0,00 Address See on map UNIVERSITY OF THE AEGEAN Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address University hill, administration bldg. See on map
