Computer Viruses (Lucent Library of Science and Technology) - Hardcover

Henderson, Harry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590181026 ISBN 13: 9781590181027

Publisher: Lucent Books, 2003

Synopsis

Describes what computer viruses and worms are and how they work, why people would want to create and send viruses, the damage viruses, worms, and spam can cause, and what laws and measures are in place to prevent this damage.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–As the author notes, some of the vulnerabilities that have made these widespread threats possible are the same technological advances that have made computers more useful and versatile. Personal ethics become part of the picture when the people who design and work with these systems have the ability to wreak havoc on the Web. This text delves into the complex issues surrounding this topic. In chapter one, discussions of the development of viruses by hackers take readers from the computer department at MIT to the concept of shared computers and shared programs. Chapter two explains the early work of worms, their anatomy, and their evolution into something destructive. How different types of viruses such as the Trojan horse spread and grow as well as the parallel between biological disease and computer viruses further this discussion. Other chapters cover the motives of hackers, the extensive costs and impact of cyberattacks, and the efforts to provide a defense with antivirus software. The final chapter discusses the future of viruses and computer technology. Captioned black-and-white photos do little to entice readers, but diagrams, drawings, clever cartoons, a few charts, and fact boxes add some appeal.–Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE
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Edition details

• Publisher: Lucent Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1590181026
• ISBN 13: 9781590181027
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128