1.3. Automated Replicating Code: The Theory and Definition of Computer VirusesCohen provided a formal mathematical model for computer viruses in 1984. This model used a Turing machine. In fact, Cohen's formal mathematical model for a computer virus is similar to Neumann's self-replicating cellular automata model. We could say, that in the Neumann sense, a computer virus is a self-reproducing cellular automata. The mathematical model does not have much practical use for today's researcher. It is a rather general description of what a computer virus is. However, the mathematical model provides significant theoretical foundation to the computer virus problem.Chapter 7, "Advanced Code Evolution Techniques and Computer Virus Generator Kits"), can rewrite their own code in such a way that the starting sequence of bytes responsible for the copy of such code will look completely different in subsequent generations but will perform the equivalent or similar functionality. ![]() |