Malware continues to be one of the primary tools employed by attackers. It is used in attacks ranging from click fraud to nation state espionage. Malware infects hosts over the network through drive-by downloads and social engineering. These infected hosts communicate with remote command and control (C&C) servers to perform tasks and exfiltrate data. Malware's reliance on the network provides an opportunity for the detection and annotation of malicious communication. This thesis presents four main contributions. First, we design and implement a novel incident investigation system, named WebWitness. It automatically traces back and labels the sequence of events (e.g., visited web pages) preceding malware downloads to highlight how users reach attack pages on the web; providing a better understanding of current attack trends and aiding in the development of more effective defenses. Second, we conduct the first systematic study of modern web based social engineering malware download attacks. From this study we develop a categorization system for classifying social engineering downloads and use it to measure attack properties. From these measurements we show that it is possible to detect the majority of social engineering downloads using features from the download path. Third, we design and implement ExecScent, a novel system for mining new malware C&C domains from live networks. ExecScent automatically learns C&C traffic models that can adapt to the deployment network's traffic. This adaptive approach allows us to greatly reduce the false positives while maintaining a high number of true positives. Lastly, we develop a new packet scheduling algorithm for deep packet inspection that maximizes throughput by optimizing for cache affinity. By scheduling for cache affinity, we are able to deploy our systems on multi-gigabit networks.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

The purpose of this project was to test and implement recent research of polarization and scatter properties that suggest using a cross polarization imaging system to reduce glare artifacts. In particular, the use of this research is to improve the machine vision of apple quality detection in the food industry. The automated measurement system was implemented by acquiring pictures at different angles and different polarization states of apples. The opto-mechanics, system integration, synchronization and data collection are controlled with LabVIEW.

Unannounced on site inspections in competition The purpose of my thesis is to analyse unannounced on site inspections in the competition law with regards to the Czech and European Union legal system. The thesis is composed of six chapters. Chapter one is introductory and defines the aims of the thesis. Chapter Two briefly discusses the basic legal framework of this area of law. Chapter Three is subdivided into six subchapters and sets out the competence of competition authorities including the cooperation within the European Competition Network. Chapter Four consists of two parts and concentrates on problems resulting from specific administrative proceedings before the Office for the Protection of Competition. Chapter Five is composed of fourteen subchapters. Each of them deals with specific aspects and details of inspections in a broader perspective. Following the brief overview of national and European legal framework the text focuses on constitutional issues related to inspections, cooperation between the competition authorities and the police, right to seal the business premises, the nature of business and non business premises, the duty of cooperation, the examining of business books and other records related to the business, inspection protocol, imposition of fines and the most important...

This thesis aims to introduce the Czech Environmental Inspectorate as a specialized body of the state administration with a state-wide authority which is subordinated to the Ministry of the Environment. The objective of the Inspectorate is particularly to exercise state supervision connected with enforcement of corrective actions and sanctions. The Czech Environmental Inspection was established in 1991 with its original competence in a field of forest protection, as of today it has competences with respect to all environmental components. The merit of this thesis is an analysis of statutory regulations regarding the protection of the environment according to which the Inspectorate exercises its competences and authority. The result of this analysis is definition of the competences of the Inspectorate in individual fields of environment protection. In the thesis I also focus on problematic provisions of particular legal regulations and in final chapter I address also a possibility of reorganisation of the Inspectorate in the future.

<p>In recent years, there have been a number of truck fires involving bridges with concrete components. If the fire burns for a significant period of time, the structural integrity of concrete components could be damaged due to fire. Research-based guidance for evaluating the level of fire damage is currently unavailable and would be beneficial for post-fire bridge inspectors. </p> <p>This research project focused on evaluating the effects of fire induced damage on concrete bridge deck elements. In order to achieve this goal, a series of controlled heating experiments and material analysis were conducted. Two concrete bridge deck specimens from the I-469 bridge over Feighner Road were heated for different time durations (40 - 80 min.) following the ISO-834 temperature-time curve. The deck specimens were cooled naturally after the specific heating durations. The temperature profiles through the depth of deck specimens were measured during heating and cooling. After testing, concrete samples were taken from the deck specimens for material analysis. Different types of material tests were conducted on samples taken from the undamaged and damaged deck specimens. The material test results were used to evaluate the effects of fire induced damage on the concrete microstructure, and to correlate the microstructure degradation with the through-depth temperature profiles of deck specimens. </p> <p>From the experimental results, several critical parameters that can affected by fire temperature and duration were discussed: (i) through-depth temperature profiles of deck specimens, (ii) cracks on the exposed surface of deck specimens, (iii) color changes of deck specimens, (iv) microstructure of heated concrete samples, (v) content of calcium hydroxide in fire damaged concrete samples at various depths. Based on the results from heating experiments and observations from material analysis, recommendations and guidance for evaluating concrete decks subjected to realistic fire scenarios are provided to assist bridge inspectors.</p>

Esta tese tem como objetivo analisar a Mesa de Inspeção do Açúcar e Tabaco da Bahia entre os anos de 1751, ano de sua criação, até 1808, quando ocorreu a abertura dos portos Brasil ao comércio internacional e, portanto, o fim do exclusivo colonial e de mudanças estruturais da comercialização dos produtos coloniais. Foram instaladas em algumas capitanias como Pernambuco, Maranhão, Rio de Janeiro e Bahia. Era um órgão administrativo e centralizador, que constituiu um importante instrumento da política mercantilista da Coroa. Esta instituição tinha o objetivo de assegurar o rendimento e controle as atividades produtivas e comerciais da colônia, visando garantir a manutenção do exclusivo colonial. Dentre as suas diferentes atribuições, podemos destacar a preocupação e empenho da Mesa de Inspeção da Bahia na melhoria da qualidade dos produtos, principalmente o açúcar, tabaco e algodão, como também sua atuação para auxiliar os senhores de engenho e lavradores com as novas técnicas de cultivo, produção do açúcar, armazenamento e comercialização. A Mesa também era responsável pelo desenvolvimento de projetos destinados às experiências agrícolas, como o cultivo de produtos oriundos da África e Ásia, a exemplo da pimenta e o cultivo de amoreiras para criação do bicho da seda e de outros gêneros como o arroz, o linho e café. Além disso, era encarregada pela Coroa de combater o descaminho e contrabando que eram intensamente praticados na Capitania da Bahia. O tema se insere no quadro das políticas adotadas pelo Marques de Pombal, orientadas para a revitalização do comércio português na segunda metade do século XVIII, tendo como resultado uma série de medidas conhecidas como Reformas Pombalinas. Durante sua atuação, a Mesa protagonizou conflitos entre produtores, comerciantes e funcionários da coroa de outros órgãos da administração colonial, que procuravam defender seus próprios interesses e agiam, na maioria das vezes, de forma resistente e, até mesmo, contrária a Mesa de Inspeção. / This thesis aims to analyze the Mesa de Inspeção do Açúcar e Tabaco da Bahia between the years of 1751, year of its creation until 1808, when there was the opening of Brazil ports to international trade and therefore, the end of colonial exclusive, structural changes in the marketing of regional products. They were installed in some captaincies as Pernambuco, Maranhão, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. It was an administrative and an institution that centralized negotiations, which was an important instrument of the mercantilist policy of the Crown. This institution was intended to ensure the performance and control the productive and commercial activities of the colony in order to ensure the maintenance of colonial unique. Among its various responsibilities, we can highlight the concern and commitment of the Mesa de Inspeção da Bahia in improving the quality of products, especially sugar, tobacco and cotton, as well as its activities to help the planters and farmers with new techniques farming, sugar production, storage and marketing. The Mesa was also responsible for developing projects for agricultural experiences, such as the cultivation of products derived from Africa and Asia, such as the pepper and mulberry cultivation for creation of silkworm and other genres such as rice, flax and coffee. In addition, it was charged by the Crown to combat smuggling and contraband that were intensely practiced in Bahia Captaincy. The theme fits into the framework of the policies adopted by the Marques de Pombal, aimed at revitalizing the Portuguese trade in the second half of the eighteenth century, resulting in a series of measures known as Reformas Pombalinas. During its tenure, the Mesa starred conflicts between producers, traders and employees of Crown other organs of the colonial administration, who sought to defend their own interests and acted, in most cases, the resistant form and even contrary to Mesa de Inspeção.

O setor avícola desempenha importante papel na economia brasileira. Com a intensificação da produção de aves surge a necessidade de ferramentas que auxiliem na detecção correta dos microrganismos responsáveis por perdas produtivas. O Tocantins por possuir território disponível e condições climáticas, tais como calor e umidade que aperfeiçoam a produção desta espécie, propicia também a proliferação de patógenos, necessitando de diagnósticos precoces. A Escherichia coli (E. coli) é uma bactéria Gram-negativa encontrada na microbiota normal de animais de produção. No entanto, existem espécies patogênicas que são responsáveis por perdas produtivas na avicultura devido a problemas como as condenações durante o abate. Atualmente, estas cepas estão separadas em categorias de acordo com seus fatores de virulência, responsáveis pelos mecanismos de fisiopatogenia, tanto animal quanto em humano. Os fatores de virulência vão desde a liberação de toxinas, até a presença de genes específicos que estabelecem a patogenia no hospedeiro. A correta identificação de cada categoria desta bactéria por meio da detecção da presença de fatores de virulência com o auxílio da biologia molecular assume papel fundamental para possíveis decisões em profilaxia e aprimoramento do manejo, com intuito de minimizar perdas produtivas. Atualmente, são escassos trabalhos que identifiquem lesões extras intestinais em aves ocasionadas por E. coli diarreinogênicas, assim o objetivo do presente trabalho foi demonstrar a associação de lesões em aves com patotipos de E. coli comumente detectadas em mamíferos. / The poultry sector plays an important role in the Brazilian economy. With the intensification of poultry production comes the need for tools to assist in the correct detection of microrganisms responsible for production losses. Tocantins to own land available and weather conditions such as heat and humidity that enhance the production of this species, also favors the proliferation of pathogens, requiring early diagnosis. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a Gram-negative bacteria found in the normal microflora of farm animals. However, there are pathogenic species which are responsible for production losses in poultry due to problems such as sentences during slaughter. Currently, these strains are separated into categories according to their virulence factors responsible for the pathogenesis mechanisms, both animal and human. The virulence factors ranging from the release of toxins to the presence of specific genes which provide for the pathogenesis in the host. The correct identification of each category of the bacteria through detecting the presence of virulence factors with the aid of molecular biology plays a critical role in possible decisions prophylaxis and improvement of handling, in order to minimize production losses. Currently, there are few studies that identify intestinal extra injuries caused by poultry E. coli diarrheagenic, so the aim of this study was to demonstrate the association of diseases in poultry with pathotypes of E. coli commonly found in mammals.

by Dong, Mei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-90). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Bump Height Inspection --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Our Height Inspection System --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Thesis Outline --- p.3 / BACKGROUND --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Wafer Bumps --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Common Defects of Wafer Bumps --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3 --- Traditional Methods for Bump Inspection --- p.11 / BIPLANAR DISPARITY METHOD --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1 --- Problem Nature --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2 --- System Overview --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3 --- Biplanar Disparity Matrix D --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4 --- Planar Homography --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Planar Homography --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Homography Estimation --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5 --- Harris Corner Detector --- p.45 / Chapter 3.6 --- Experiments --- p.47 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Synthetic Experiments --- p.47 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Real image experiment --- p.52 / Chapter 3.7 --- Conclusion and problems --- p.61 / PARAPLANAR DISPARITY METHOD --- p.62 / Chapter 4.1 --- The Parallel Constraint --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2 --- Homography estimation --- p.66 / Chapter 4.3. --- Experiment: --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Synthetic Experiment: --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Real Image Experiment: --- p.74 / CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK --- p.80 / Chapter 5.1 --- Summary of the contributions --- p.80 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future Work --- p.81 / Publication related to this work: --- p.83 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.83