• Rapid Communication

Email networks and the spread of computer viruses

M. E. J. Newman, Stephanie Forrest, and Justin Balthrop
Phys. Rev. E 66, 035101(R) – Published 10 September 2002
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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.

  • Received 2 July 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.66.035101

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. E. J. Newman1, Stephanie Forrest1,2, and Justin Balthrop2

  • 1Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
  • 2Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1386

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Vol. 66, Iss. 3 — September 2002

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