In this thesis we describe novel approaches to the formal description of systems which reproduce, and show that the resulting models have explanatory power and practical applications, particularly in the domain of computer virology. We start by generating a formal description of computer viruses based on formal methods and notations developed for software engineering. We then prove that our model can be used to detect metamorphic computer viruses, which are designed specifically to avoid well-established signature-based detection methods. Next, we move away from the specific case of reproducing programs, and consider formal models of reproducing things in general. We show that we can develop formal models of the ecology of a reproducer, based on a formalisation of Gibson's theory of affordances.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:501590 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Webster, Matthew Paul |
| Publisher | University of Liverpool |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0018 seconds